PRIME MINISTER

Laptop Computers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Prime Minister how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Office in each year since 1995; how many have been (i)lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the use of laptops in that period; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster today.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Consultants

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to issue guidance on effective commissioning for those in the public and voluntary sectors who are commissioning work from external consultants.

David Lammy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her on 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1286W by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Libraries (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many books were borrowed from libraries in each London borough in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The aggregate number of books issued by library authorities across inner and outer London for each year between 1997–98 and 2003–04 is shown in the following table. These figures are drawn from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's annual Public Library Statistics (Actuals) which also contain figures for individual library authorities. Copies are available in the House of Commons Library.
	
		Thousand
		
			  Number of books issued 
		
		
			 1997–98 55,246 
			 1998–99 52,667 
			 1999–2000 48,142 
			 2000–01 45,771 
			 2001–02 42,626 
			 2002–03 41,727 
			 2003–04 39,774

National Lottery

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on differences in amounts received by constituencies from grants to good causes from the national lottery.

Richard Caborn: Policy directions issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport state that lottery funding must be accessible to all sections of the population and all areas of the country (especially those at risk of social exclusion).
	Ensuring equality of access does not, however, mean that every constituency will receive exactly the same amount. And nor should it. The distribution of national lottery funds was always intended to respond to particular needs and to ensure that areas of significant disadvantage are first to benefit.

Women's Football

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take steps to promote women's football in England.

Richard Caborn: The Government have sought to help promote the women's game by working closely with the football authorities and other sporting organisations to raise its profile in this country.
	Sport England on behalf of the Government funds the Football Foundation which invests in a wide range of projects that benefit women's football. Sport England has also directly funded girls' football in recent years through the Active Sports programme which has contributed to the 53 per cent. increase in the number of girls playing the game since 2001.
	The Government place much importance on women's football and football in general. The sport is a key deliverer of our aims to increase participation in sport, improve social inclusion, community cohesion and the health of the nation.

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in her Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Department records the number of stress related absences, but the records do not distinguish between stress and work-related stress. The number of stress related cases identified for the last three years are as follows:
	
		
			  Number of cases Days lost 
		
		
			 2002–03 9 712 
			 2003–04 6 251 
			 2004–05 (1)— 176 
		
	
	(1)This information has been suppressed on grounds of confidentiality.
	DCMS has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for all employees and guidance is available for staff and managers on how to manage stress effectively.
	No compensation has been paid to employees for any stress related cases in the last three years.
	As part of our larger managing attendance, health and welfare programme for staff we have a range of policies and procedures in places to reduce work-related stress.
	These include: Stress Management policy: Sickness Absence policy, which includes guidance on making reasonable adjustments; full range of flexible work patterns to support work-life balance; dedicated stress management channel on DCMS Intranet; health awareness pages on Intranet; access to welfare services, onsite gym and yoga classes.
	The Department does not hold details of costs for absences resulting from work-related stress or procedures put in place to tackle it.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Welfare

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the welfare conditions of animals used in circuses; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans she has to bring the welfare standards for circus animals up to the same standard as for animals kept in zoos; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government are aware of anecdotal evidence that there are certain welfare problems associated with circuses. The Government's preliminary conclusion is that any such problems can be addressed through better regulation.
	Proposals under the Animal Welfare Bill will improve significantly the welfare of animals in circuses. The Bill will introduce a 'duty of care' requiring that the owner or keeper of an animal takes reasonable steps to ensure its welfare and enables action to be taken before any suffering occurs. This will strengthen protection for circus animals.
	It is also our intention, through secondary legislation under the Bill, to regulate all trainers of performing animals. No decisions have been taken as to what form the regulation will take but any proposals will be subject to public consultation.

Animal Welfare

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the legislative position in other European countries in respect of the use of wild animals in circuses; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department is aware that animal welfare laws, including those relating to circuses, vary across Europe.

Badger Deaths (Surrey)

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to publish statistics on roadside badger deaths in Surrey; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: As Surrey is not one of the seven counties in which DEFRA is conducting its Road Traffic Accident survey, we do not have data on the numbers of badgers killed on Surrey roads.

Energy Technology List (Kilns)

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to include kilns on the Energy Technology List of the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Carbon Trust is responsible for providing the Government with technical advice on technologies for the Energy Technology List (ETL). Each proposal for a new technology group is considered and prioritised based on the potential to save carbon dioxide emissions and ease of incorporation within the scheme. To date we have not received any detailed or quantitative proposals to include kilns on the ETL from the relevant industry representatives and our own market assessment indicates that kilns offer relatively low EGA accessible abatement potential compared to other technologies not yet listed. Therefore we have no plans to undertake a detailed evaluation of kilns for the ETL at the moment.

Environment Agency Helpline

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many calls the Environment Agency emergency helpline received in each year since 1997, broken down by the type of problem being reported.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency does not record the number of calls to the incident hotline, or keep a central log of those calls by subject. Preparing the information from the manually completed record sheets would could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	The following schedule shows an approximation of the number of calls received, based on information supplied by BT concerning the total duration of all calls to the hotline, divided by an average duration calculated using figures for April 2005. Unfortunately this information is only available since June 2002.
	
		
			  Number of calls 
		
		
			 2002 (June to December) 66,322 
			 2003 136,785 
			 2004 163,696 
			 2005 (January to May) 76,417

Flood Defences

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much is budgeted for expenditure on flood defences in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the next five years; and to which projects funding will be allocated.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA funds most of the Environment Agency's flood management activities in England and provides grant aid on a project by project basis to the other operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. Defra does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on which specific projects to undertake.
	I understand from the Environment Agency that their budget for expenditure on flood risk management in East Riding of Yorkshire over the next five years is approximately £41 million (at September 2004 prices). This is made up as follows:
	
		
			 Activity/Project Forecast expenditure (£000) 
		
		
			 Ongoing capital investment  
			 Tickton refurbishment 300 
			 Number Estuary Coastal Authorities Group SMP Review 80 
			 Number Monitoring 2 570 
			 Number Estuary Shoreline Management Plan 3 260 
			 Number Land Purchase 3,760 
			 East Clough-Brough Haven 3,130 
			 Little Humber-Thorngumbald 240 
			 Reedness Slips at Reedness 1,200 
			 Goole Slips-River Ouse (Hook Road) 850 
			 Saltmarshe Embankment 2 400 
			 Bank House Slips/Saltmarshe 800 
			 Airmyn and Rawcliffe 2,000 
			 Burstwick Drain 630 
			 Total 14,220 
			   
			 Capital projects resulting from number strategy  
			 Paull Village 3,300 
			 BAe to East Clough 2,900 
			 Old Goole 500 
			 Swinefleet 5,800 
			 Erosion Control (Stoning) 2,100 
			 Monitoring and maintenance 1,100 
			 Further studies 1,700 
			 Contingency for urgent work 2,100 
			 Total 19,500 
			   
			 Asset improvements 1,090 
			 Routine maintenance 2,800 
			 COW expenditure 1,135 
			 Support costs 2,325 
			   
			 Grand total 41,070 
		
	
	For local authorities and internal drainage boards, the forward programme is not budgeted at regional level. DEFRA does however hold forecasts of expenditure of individual approved flood risk management improvement projects covering the period from April 2005 to March 2008. These forecasts total approximately £1 million and are made up as follows:
	
		
			   Authority   Project name Forecast expenditure (£000) 
		
		
			 Cowick IDB Cowick IDB First Five Year Strategy 94 
			 Goole and Airmyn IDB Hook Clough Pumping Station 150 
			 Goole and Airmyn IDB Downs Ground Pumping Station 235 
			 Goole and Airmyn IDB Downs Ground Pumping Station Refurbishment 300 
			 Market Weighton IDB Oxmardyke Pumping Station 70 
			 Market Weighton IDB Foss Dyke and Tributaries 2 
			 Rawcliffe IDB Rawcliffe First Five Year Strategy 187 
			 Total  1,038 
		
	
	In addition to this list of approved projects for local authorities and internal drainage boards, there are also a number of planned improvement projects that meet the current priority score thresholds but which have not yet been approved for grant aid by the Department.

Flood Defences

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress with the Silkstream Flood Defence scheme, Edgware.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency is promoting this flood alleviation project. I understand that two of the six flood storage areas have been constructed, these being Temple Pond and Prince Edward Playing Fields (Harrow). Construction work is programmed to commence in autumn 2005 for Summerhouse Lake and Stoneywood Lake. Design and land negotiations for the final two sites, Edgwarebury Park and Bury Farm, are being progressed and underpinned by a Compulsory Purchase Order procedure.
	The completion of all flood storage areas is still on target for year 2007, subject to securing the necessary funding and successful negotiations with landowners.

Energy-efficient Housing

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households have been assisted by the Home Energy Efficiency and Warm Front schemes in the borough of Dartford in each year since June 2000; and what the average size of grant was in each financial year.

Elliot Morley: Between the launch of the Warm Front Scheme in June 2000 and the end of the March 2005 the number of households assisted in the borough of Dartford were:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000–01 101 
			 2001–02 298 
			 2002–03 210 
			 2003–04 157 
			 2004–05 198 
			 Total 964 
		
	
	The average size of grant in each financial year for the Dartford constituency was:
	
		
			 Scheme year Average grant 
		
		
			 2000–01 290 
			 2001–02 324 
			 2002–03 596 
			 2003–04 1,019 
			 2004–05 1,030

Energy-efficient Housing

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken towards implementing the requirements of section 217 of the Housing Act 2004.

Elliot Morley: We are working across Government and with key stakeholders to implement the policies detailed in our 2004 Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which will lead to economy-wide annual savings of 12.1 million tonnes of carbon by 2010. We are looking at ways to further strengthen our energy efficiency policies through the joint HM Treasury/Defra Energy Efficiency Innovation Review and the Climate Change Programme Review, due to conclude later this year.

Sewerage and Water Bills

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average water sewerage bills are as a proportion of average income in each region.

Elliot Morley: Information on water and sewerage bills is not available by economic region. The attached table sets out the average water and sewerage bill as a proportion of average household income in each water and sewerage company area.
	
		2005–06
		
			  Regionally Bill as a proportion of average income (percentage) 
		
		
			 Anglian 1.2 
			 Dwr Cymru 1.5 
			 Northumbria 1.2 
			 Severn Trent 1.1 
			 South West 1.8 
			 Southern 1.1 
			 Thames 0.8 
			 United Utilities 1.2 
			 Wessex 1.2 
			 Yorkshire 1.2 
			 Wocs 1.0 
			 Industry average 1.0

Timber

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential for the recovery of construction and demolition timber as a renewable energy source.

Elliot Morley: Information is not available on the amount of construction and timber waste produced each year. Current estimates for all types of wood waste vary from 1.9 to 7.5 million tonnes per annum. This includes municipal, commercial and industrial waste as well as that from construction and demolition. A significant proportion currently goes to landfill, which could be used instead as a valuable energy source. As part of the current review of the renewables obligation, the Government has just consulted on options for incentivising a broader range of mixed waste energy projects. The Biomass Study Task Force, led by Sir Ben Gill, is looking at the barriers to developing biomass energy and will recommend ways to overcome the problems. The use of wood waste as an energy source is one of the areas they are looking at and we will consider the way forward in the light of their recommendations.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Aid Conditionality

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken to reduce the conditionality of overseas aid; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The UK Conditionality Policy which I launched in March this year aims to reduce the overall burden of conditionality on developing countries. UK aid will be subject to only three fundamental conditions, which ensure that aid is used to reduce poverty, is not misused through corruption and supports good governance and human rights. We will no longer make UK aid conditional on specific policy choices by partner governments—including in sensitive economic areas such as privatisation or trade liberalisation.

Aid Conditionality

Celia Barlow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage bilateral and multilateral donors to adopt the UK's policy of not placing economic conditions on the aid, loans and debt relief given to developing countries.

Hilary Benn: I published a UK policy paper on conditionally in March 2005. Increased transparency about DFID's approach to conditionally and about the conditions that we use will help us to achieve change in other organisations. Last year, I pressed the World Bank to carry out a review of its conditionality. The review will be finalised before the Annual Meetings in September 2005. We have had good discussions with our Nordic Plus partners who are in broad agreement with the principles set out on our policy paper. At country level, when working with other donors, we will encourage others to adopt the approach and principles laid out in our conditionality policy.

HIV/AIDS (Africa)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has hadwith Ministers in recipient countries in relation to HIV/AIDS aid in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hilary Benn: Over the past few months my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have met with Ministers and others in a number of African countries to discuss ways of doing more to fight HIV and AIDS prevention, provide better treatment and care, improve and encourage research into protective microbicides and vaccines.

Debt Relief

John McFall: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures he plans to put in place to ensure that heavily indebted poor countries receiving debt relief do not incur heavy debts in future.

Hilary Benn: Heavily indebted poor countries that have demonstrated a commitment to poverty reduction are receiving substantial debt relief, and would receive more under the G8 proposal agreed recently.
	It is essential that these countries do not build up unsustainable debts again. We have therefore agreed a new arrangement—the Debt Sustainability Framework—to determine whether new assistance should be in the form of loans or grants. We will discuss with partners whether the framework should be adjusted in light of the multilateral relief proposed by the G8.
	We are also providing assistance directly to countries to strengthen their debt management capacity.

Debt Relief

George Young: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that funds released by debt relief are used to reduce poverty.

Hilary Benn: Debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, as well as proposed in the recent G8 deal, will go only to countries that have demonstrated their commitment to poverty reduction and good public expenditure management.
	On average, 65 per cent. of the savings from HIPC debt relief are used on health and education. There are already many excellent examples of the difference this debt relief can make—after receiving HIPC debt relief in 2001 Ghana has increased spending on reducing poverty by almost 50 per cent. In Uganda, debt relief has seen spent on reducing poverty rise by 75 per cent. since 2000, and access to health services and immunisation rates have almost doubled.

Zimbabwe

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to assist people in Zimbabwe's urban areas.

Hilary Benn: It is estimated that 66,000 households (approaching 330,000 people) have been affected by the callous destruction of people's homes and livelihoods by the government of Zimbabwe. DFID have responded to this man-made disaster by providing US$450,000 so far in humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable. A further contribution is imminent. To date nearly 10,000 families have been reached with food, blankets, soap and other forms of assistance. Where appropriate emergency water and sanitation facilities have been provided. We will continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to respect human rights and to put a stop to these cruel evictions and arrests.

Palestinian Territories

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid programmes his Department has in the Palestinian territories.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development is working with partners to help end conflict and create a viable Palestinian state that will reduce poverty. The central themes of our programme are to enhance the prospects for peace, promote effective and accountable Palestinian institutions and make international aid and development assistance more effective. We plan to spend £30 million in bilateral aid during 2005–06. Half of our funding will help the United Nations Relief and Works Agency deliver education, health and social services to Palestinian refugees. We will also continue to provide budget support to the Palestinian Authority.

Iraq

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the Department is providing to Iraq in 2005–06.

Hilary Benn: DFID plans to provide £65 million in assistance to Iraq in 2005–06. Our programme is focused on improving infrastructure, including power and water supplies in southern Iraq, and support for public administration, economic reform and participation in the political process in Iraq.
	Full details of DFID's programme of assistance in Iraq since April 2003 can be found on the Departments website at www.dfid.gov.uk/countries/asia/iraq.asp

User Fees (Education)

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that user fees for education are abolished in all countries not on track to meet the millennium development goals.

Gareth Thomas: DFID supports governments to develop education policies that reduce the financial burden of education for poor families. In Kenya, the recent removal of user fees resulted in over 1 million extra children going to school. We will continue to support countries not on track to meet the education Millennium Development Goals in their efforts to remove user fees for basic education. Over the next three years, DFID plans to spend £1.4 billion supporting education in developing countries. Removing school fees must be part of a plan to ensure the quality of primary education for children is improved.

Asian Tsunami

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on reconstruction in the tsunami-affected regions.

Gareth Thomas: Following a successful humanitarian relief effort, reconstruction after the Asian Tsunami will take several years. Progress is now being made.
	In Sri Lanka, 30,000 transitional homes replacing temporary shelters have been constructed so far. Of 182 schools damaged, contracts have been signed to rebuild 176; and roads, railways and electricity supplies have been restored. The recently agreed Joint Mechanism between the Government, the LTTE and Muslims will aid reconstruction in the North East.
	Indonesia is still essentially in the relief phase but reconstruction is now beginning through the Aceh Reconstruction Agency. I announced during my recent visit £30 million to be made available to the Indonesian Multi Donor Trust Fund from the £65 million for reconstruction.

Fossil Fuels (International Funding)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been invested in (a) fossil fuel projects and (b) renewable energy projects by the (i) World Bank Group, (ii) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, (iii) European Investment Bank, (iv) Asian Development Bank, (v) African Development Bank and (vi) Inter American Development Bank in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 23 June 2005
	The following summary table details investment in fossil fuel and renewable energy projects across the major multilateral development banks in the last five years.
	
		Multilateral development bank renewable energy and fossil fuel investments: financial year 2000–04 -- US$ million
		
			 Sub-sector 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 World Bank Group  
			 Renewable energy 764 26 349 342 272 
			 Coal (incl mine closure) 51 111 194 75 160 
			 Oil and gas 490 592 601 448 415 
			 Power 1,163 1,169 1,555 852.2 570.2 
			 Other energy sub-sector 176 175 55 170 128 
			 Total fossil fuel 1,880 2,047 2,405 1,545 1,273 
			 Energy efficiency and district heating 254 189 37 68 48 
			   
			 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development  
			 Renewable energy 0 16 0 0 0 
			 Coal (incl mine closure) 0 0 0 72 0 
			 Oil and gas 142 27 153 35 124 
			 Total fossil fuel 142 27 153 108 124 
			 Energy efficiency and district heating 21 64 92 121 242 
			   
			 European Investment Bank  
			 Renewable energy 78 206 734 375 459 
			 Coal (incl mine closure) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oil and gas n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Total fossil fuel 285 285 285 285 669 
			 Energy efficiency and district heating n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			   
			 Asian Development Bank  
			 Renewable energy 58 6 161 0 0 
			 Coal (incl mine closure) 0 0 0 0 187 
			 Oil and gas 0 0 73 0 0 
			 Total fossil fuel 0 0 73 0 187 
			 Energy efficiency and district heating n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			   
			 African Development Bank  
			 Renewable energy 102 79 2 0 0 
			 Coal (incl mine closure) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Oil and gas 0 0 115 82 0 
			 Total fossil fuel 0 0 115 82 0 
			 Energy efficiency and district heating n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			   
			 Inter-American Development Bank  
			 Renewable energy 338 186 3 14 75 
			 Coal (incl mine closure) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Oil and gas 713 192 0 0 0 
			 Total fossil fuel 713 192 0 0 0 
			 Energy efficiency and district heating n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures shown are commitment amounts and not disbursements.
	2. Renewable energy is generally defined as hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass projects.
	3. Sub-sector project definitions may vary across institutions and are not directly comparable.
	4. Although projects are in fossil fuel sector, this does not necessarily imply a net increase in fossil fuel use. More efficient fossil fuel investments will displace other inefficient fuel or production methods.
	5. Coal projects include costs to close mines in an environmental and socially acceptable manner.
	6. Figures excludes sole technical assistance projects although technical assistance is a component of loans described.
	7. Figures exclude projects solely to support power transmission and distribution.
	8. World Bank renewable energy projects include IBRD/IDA/IFC commitments, MIGA guarantees, Bank GEF projects and IBRD carbon finance.
	9. EIB investments are for EU members, and also two projects in Swaziland and Morocco.
	10. ADB, AfDB, EIB and IDB energy efficiency project information not shown in table.
	11. The energy efficiency component of EBRD industrial projects was not recorded before 2002.
	12. EBRD and EIB lending figures converted to US$ at $ per Euro 1.205.
	13. AfDB figures converted from Unit of Account to US$ at $ per UA 1.4752.
	14. IDB loans include loan amounts placed by IDB Private Sector Department with other lenders.
	15. IDB renewable energy includes investment in cogeneration facilities.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Domestic Violence

Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions for domestic violence in the jurisdiction of the Teesside combined courts have (a) come to court and (b) resulted in conviction in the last 12 months.

Mike O'Brien: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records are held according to the CPS unit responsible for proceedings, rather than the court in which the case was heard.
	The following table shows the number and outcome of proceedings for domestic violence handled by the Teesside Criminal Justice Unit and the Trials Unit in magistrates courts during the year ending March 2005. During this period, 152 defendants were convicted for domestic violence in the magistrates courts, representing 54.7 per cent. of the total proceeded against. Proceedings in respect of 10 defendants were dismissed after a full trial. All of these prosecutions may be regarded as having come to court. Proceedings in respect of a further 114 defendants were discontinued, while bench warrants for the arrest of two more defendants remained outstanding. These cases may be regarded as not having come to court.
	Prosecutions in Teesside Crown court are handled by three CPS units: Durham Trials Unit, Teesside Trials Unit and York Trials Unit. However, CPS units are also responsible for prosecutions in other Crown courts, and it is not possible to disaggregate figures to isolate those relating to Teesside Crown court alone.
	A further table shows the number of defendants proceeded against for domestic violence in the crown court by each of the relevant CPS units during the year ending March 2005, and the outcome of the proceedings. The table also shows the proportion of cases resulting in an unsuccessful outcome and in a conviction. In total, 100 defendants were convicted for domestic violence: (73.5 per cent. of the total proceeded against).
	All of the Crown court cases shown in the following tables may be regarded as having come to court, with the exception of the one case which could not proceed owing to the death of the defendant.
	
		CPS proceedings for domestic violence in the Crown court 2004–05
		
			  Durham Criminal Justice Unit/Trial Unit South % Teesside Trial Unit % York Trial Unit % Total % 
		
		
			 Defendant died 1 2.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.7 
			 Judge ordered acquittal 7 14.3 12 18.8 4 17.4 23 16.9 
			 Judge directed acquittal 0 0.0 2 3.1 0 0.0 2 1.5 
			 Jury acquittal 2 4.1 6 9.4 2 8.7 10 7.4 
			 Total unsuccessful outcomes 10 20.4 20 31.3 6 26.1 36 26.5 
			  
			 Guilty plea 38 77.6 43 67.2 11 47.8 92 67.6 
			 Guilty verdict 1 2.0 1 1.6 6 26.1 8 5.9 
			 Total convictions 39 79.6 44 68.8 17 73.9 100 73.5 
			 Total 49 100.0 64 100.0 23 100.0 136 100.0 
		
	
	
		CPS proceedings for domestic violence in magistrates courts Teesside: 2004–05
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Outstanding bench warrants 2 0.7 
			 Discontinued 114 41.0 
			 Dismissed after full trial 10 3.6 
			 Total unsuccessful outcomes 126 45.3 
			
			 Guilty plea 142 51.1 
			 Guilty verdict 10 3.6 
			 Total convictions 152 54.7 
			 Total 278 100.0

Sexual Offences

Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions for rape and sexual offences have (a) been brought to court and (b) resulted in conviction in the jurisdiction of the Teesside combined courts in the last 12 months.

Mike O'Brien: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records are held according to the CPS unit responsible for proceedings rather than the court in which the case was heard.
	The following table shows the number and the outcome of proceedings for sexual offences handled by the Teesside Criminal Justice Unit and the Trials Unit in magistrates courts during the period from September 2004, when the present analysis was introduced, to March 2005. During this period, 26 defendants were convicted for sexual offences in magistrates courts, representing 78.8 per cent. of the total proceeded against. Proceedings were discontinued in respect of the remaining seven defendants, whose cases may be regarded as not having been brought to court.
	Prosecutions in Teesside Crown court are handled by three CPS units: Durham Trials Unit, Teesside Trials Unit and York Trials Unit. However, these CPS units are also responsible for prosecutions in other crown courts, and it is not possible to disaggregate figures to isolate those relating to Teesside Crown court alone.
	A further table shows the number of defendants proceeded against for sexual offences in the Crown court by each of the relevant CPS units. The table also shows the proportion of cases resulting in an unsuccessful outcome and in a conviction. In total, 72 defendants were convicted for sexual offences: (59.5 per cent. of the total proceeded against).
	All of the cases shown in the tables for crown court proceedings may be regarded as having been brought to court, with the exception of two cases in which a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant remained unexecuted.
	While CPS records provide an analysis of the number and the outcome of proceedings for sexual offences, these figures cannot be further disaggregated to show the outcome of proceedings for rape.
	Information from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database shows that in 2003, in the Teesside Crown Court, 28 defendants were proceeded against for rape of a male and rape of a female, of which nine were found guilty. Data for 2004 will be available in the autumn.
	
		CPS proceedings for sexual offences in the Crown court—September 2004-March 2005
		
			  Durham Criminal Justice Unit/Trial Unit South % Teesside Trial Unit % York Trial Unit % Total % 
		
		
			 Outstanding bench warrants 0 0.0 1 1.9 1 2.4 2 1.7 
			 Judge ordered acquittal 3 11.1 9 17.3 6 14.3 18 14.9 
			 Judge directed acquittal 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 4.8 2 1.7 
			 Jury acquittal 5 18.5 15 28.8 7 16.7 27 22.3 
			 Total unsuccessful outcomes 8 29.6 25 48.1 16 38.1 49 40.5 
			  
			 Guilty plea 14 51 .9 23 44.2 19 45.2 56 46.3 
			 Guilty verdict 5 18.5 4 7.7 7 16.7 16 13.2 
			 Total convictions 19 70.4 27 51.9 26 61.9 72 59.5 
			 Total 27 100.0 52 100.0 42 100.0 121 100.0 
		
	
	
		CPS proceedings for sexual offences in magistrates courts Teesside: September 2004-March 2005
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Discontinued 7 21.2 
			 Total unsuccessful outcomes 7 21.2 
			
			 Proved in absence 1 3.0 
			 Guilty plea 24 72.7 
			 Guilty verdict 1 3.0 
			 Total convictions 26 78.8 
			 Total 33 100.0

TREASURY

Council Tax

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful appeals against council tax banding have been received in each year since 1997; and how many properties were moved down (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three or more bands following successful appeals.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is as follows:
	
		Appeals settled in each year for England since 1999–2000(2) 
		
			  Unsuccessful Successful 
		
		
			 1999–2000 19,580 26,036 
			 2000–01 14,252 22,205 
			 2001–02 12,808 17,906 
			 2002–03 11,998 17,992 
			 2003–04 12,356 15,364 
			 2004–05 12,350 15,753 
		
	
	(2)The first year this information is available in this form.
	Information on specific levels of banding changes relating to these appeals is not currently available.

Council Tax

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost of an appeal against council tax banding has been in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The average costs of an appeal against council tax banding from 2001–02—the first year for which information is available—are:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2001–02 280 
			 2002–03 280 
			 2003–04 300 
			 2004–05 320

Council Tax

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff (a) are, (b) have been and (c) will be (i) employed and (ii) contracted out by the Valuation Office Agency to carry out the council tax revaluation process.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of staff employed by the Valuation Office Agency for the council tax revaluation process for England is:
	(a) 2005–06: 1, 610
	(b) 2004–05: 729
	(c) 2006–07: 1,419
	(ii) There are no current plans to contract out work from the Valuation Office Agency.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the sources are of the house sales price data the Valuation Office Agency is using for computer modelling as part of the council tax revaluation process.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency has access to property transaction information from the Stamp Taxes Office of HM Revenue and Customs and from HM Land Registry.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of dwellings will be assessed by the Valuation Office Agency using the automated valuation model during the council tax revaluation in England.

Dawn Primarolo: The Automated Valuation Model will be used to support the revaluation of the majority of properties within England. Valuation Office Agency staff will use their expertise to review all the outputs.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the specification and technical documentation relating to the automated valuation model used by the Valuation Office Agency for the council tax revaluation.

Dawn Primarolo: The Automated Valuation Model (AVM) is still under development, and so its specification and associated technical documentation is not yet finalised. The Valuation Office Agency will however publish information on this in due course.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Valuation Office Agency has made of the number of appeals which are likely to be made following the council tax revaluation in England.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of appeals which may be received following a revaluation are dependent upon a number of issues, which include the characteristics of the banding scheme, the extent of information provided to individual taxpayers about how their assessment has been arrived at, and also the level of payments to be made including whether any transitional relief scheme will apply. A number of these issues are currently under consideration by the Inquiry being undertaken by Sir Michael Lyons which is due to report in December 2005. It is therefore too speculative to provide estimates of appeal rates at this stage.

Faith Communities

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consultations have been carried out by his Department with representatives of faith communities; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Comprehensive information relating to consultations with representatives of faith communities is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Treasury Ministers are concerned to ensure that the views of all sectors of society, including faith communities, are taken fully into account in the process of policy development and analysis. Recent examples of active engagement with faith groups include the tax treatment of Islamic (Shari'a compliant) financial products and the refund of VAT on repairs to listed places of worship.

Flight Charges (African Development)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions EU finance ministers have had on introducing additional charges on domestic and international flights to fund international development in Africa; what the UK's position is; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 20 June 2005
	EU finance minister discussions on innovative mechanisms for financing development, including the IFF, the IFF for Immunisation, and an air ticket levy that could support specific development projects and refinance the IFF, are on-going.
	The 16–17 June European Council invited the Council to pursue its consideration of the most promising options for innovative sources of funding for development, so as to increase the resources available in a sustainable and predictable manner."

Gershon Review

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) value for money savings consequent on the Gershon review, (b) procurement savings and (c) reduction in civil service posts each Department is expected to make in the fiscal year 2004–05; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Efficiency targets were set out for each Department in the Spending Review 2004 White Paper. Progress was reported in Budget 2005 and Departments will report on further progress in their annual reports.

Home Owners

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 681W, on home ownership, what economic analysis was undertaken to underpin the target of one million more homeowners by 2010.

John Healey: The Government expect one million people to enter home-ownership over the next five years. This is based upon analysis of recent trends in house-building and new owner-occupiers. It also takes into account the impact that the domestic economic stability delivered by the Government's macroeconomic framework will have had on numbers entering into homeownership.

Insurance Fraud

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding allegations of fraud by insurance companies using the insurance premium tax.

Ivan Lewis: The Treasury has received no representations regarding allegations of insurance premium tax (IPT) fraud by insurance companies in the past year. Some allegations of underpayment of IPT have been received regarding one particular business and these have been investigated by HM Revenue and Customs.

Mortgage Interest Tax Relief

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average tax deduction due to Mortgage Interest Tax Relief was in April 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates can be made from data available on the HMRC website:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/mir/mir_t03_1.htm

Property-based Loans

Tom Levitt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution to the cost of participation in central Government schemes and services came from equity release or other property-based loans to service users in (a) absolute and (b) percentage terms in the latest period for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of how this proportion will change over the next 10 years.

John Healey: The Treasury does not hold this data centrally.

Tax Avoidance Schemes

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many tax avoidance schemes have been withdrawn or otherwise ceased to operate since legislation was brought into force requiring sellers to secure prior clearance from his Department;
	(2)  if he will bring forward legislation to require (a) providers and (b) purchasers of tax avoidance schemes to provide a complete inventory of their schemes to his Department.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are committed to protect the tax system against tax avoidance when and where necessary, ensuring that all taxpayers pay their fair share, and protecting revenues for essential public services. The disclosure rules for direct tax and VAT are a success, informing a number of anti-avoidance measures in the summer Finance Bill.
	However, the disclosure rules do not require promoters of schemes to notify HMRC if a tax avoidance scheme has been withdrawn or otherwise ceased, so this information is unavailable.
	The Government continue to keep the disclosure rules under review, and will bring forward any further proposals at the appropriate time.

Tax Avoidance Schemes

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department has taken against PricewaterhouseCoopers for selling tax avoidance schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are committed to protect the tax system against tax avoidance when and where necessary, ensuring that all taxpayers pay their fair share, and protecting revenues for essential public services. The Government introduced the disclosure rules for direct tax and VAT in 2004. The disclosure rules are a success, informing a number of anti-avoidance measures in the summer Finance Bill. Among other things, the direct tax rules require promoters to disclose to HMRC that they have made available a scheme or arrangement as defined in the rules. This legislation applies to PricewaterhouseCoopers as it does to any other promoter.

Tax Credit Fraud

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions the Inland Revenue has brought for fraudulent tax credit claims in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government introduced tax credits (working families tax credit, disabled person's tax credit and children's tax credit) in 1999. These were replaced in April 2003 by the new tax credits of working tax credit and child tax credit. There has been a steady increase in prosecutions brought by the Inland Revenue in each year since 1999 as shown in the table. A number of factors contribute to the significant increase in prosecutions:
	As more people are eligible to benefit form the new generation of tax credits so there is more scope for fraudulent claims.
	HMRC's tax fraud investigators have become increasingly proficient at discovering and preventing fraudulent tax credit claims.
	There has been a lead in times from payments being issued, fraud identified and investigated to cases being taken through the court system.
	Since the introduction of tax credits in 1999, the Inland Revenue (now HM Revenue and Customs) has prosecuted the following numbers of suspects.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1999–2000 0 
			 2000–01 2 
			 2001–02 28 
			 2002–03 35 
			 2003–04 59 
			 2004–05 211

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff of the Valuation Office Agency will be employed for the purposes of the council tax revaluation in (a) 2005–06 and (b) 2006–07.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of full-time, equivalent staff, employed by the Valuation Office Agency for the council tax revaluation process in England is:
	(a) 2005–06: 1,610
	(b) 2006–07: 1,419.

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The figures for reported cases of work-related stress in the department for the last three years are;
	2002: 13 cases resulting in 467 workdays lost
	2003: 22 cases resulting in 408 workdays lost
	2004: 14 cases resulting in 139 workdays lost
	There are no recorded cases of compensation being paid to employees for work-related stress.
	A stress audit was carried out in the Treasury in 2000 at a cost of £20,000. To measure progress against the 2000 stress audit, a follow up well being survey was carried out in 2003 at a cost of £15,000. A staff group was set up to assess its recommendations and to take forward an action plan.

TRANSPORT

A39

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the funding of the new section of the A39 at Camelford; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The A39 Camelford Distributor Road was provisionally approved by the Department in December 2000 at a cost of £6.8 million subject to the completion of the relevant statutory procedures and final approval by Ministers.
	We are aware that costs for the scheme have increased significantly and are now estimated to be £14.4 million.
	We therefore asked Cornwall county council to critically review the current benefit and cost assessment of this scheme in order to satisfy themselves that the scheme can be delivered to minimal additional cost and with a robust BCR. They are currently undertaking this work and future progress of the scheme will depend on the results of this assessment.

A49

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce road accidents on the A49 between Ludlow and Shrewsbury.

Stephen Ladyman: A number of initiatives have been taken to address safety on the A49 and a Route Management Strategy (RMS) was published in December 2004.
	The Highways Agency has recently completed two schemes:
	A roundabout junction improvement at Craven Arms
	Traffic signal improvements and a vehicle activated speed limit sign at Church Stretton.
	A further scheme has been proposed to install a pedestrian crossing facility on the Ludlow Bypass.
	In addition, studies have been proposed for 2005–06. These include:
	An accident analysis at the Stapleton Crossroads junction south of Shrewsbury and the A49/B4361 junction at the southern end of the Ludlow Bypass
	A speed management strategy study for the route as a whole.

Air Services/Travel

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance the Government provide to regional airports to establish scheduled services.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport does not directly provide any financial assistance to regional airports to establish regional air services. However, funding contributions can be made by the devolved Administrations and appropriate regional authorities in certain carefully defined circumstances, provided such funding complies with relevant EU state aid guidelines.

Air Services/Travel

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the environmental impact of increasing capacity for air travel.

Karen Buck: The Air Transport White Paper, published in December 2003, set out an approach, agreed across Government, which provides a strategic framework for development of airport capacity, supporting economic prosperity, while managing and mitigating the environmental impacts of aviation. The Department for Transport and DEFRA keep in regular contact on aviation and environment issues.

Air Services/Travel

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of how many extra aircraft (a) per day and (b) per night would (i) fly in and out of Heathrow airport and (ii) pass over Hammersmith and Fulham if the third runway is built at Heathrow.

Karen Buck: Assessments of the additional capacity of Heathrow airport with a short third runway were made in connection with the preparation of the Air Transport White Paper and are set out in the supporting paper Passenger ForecastsAdditional Analysis available on the DfT website. It is not possible to be specific about how many additional daily flights would pass over Hammersmith and Fulham, since arrival and departure patterns are subject to air traffic control and meteorological conditions. Night-time traffic would be constrained by the night flying restrictions applying at the time at Heathrow.

Air Services/Travel

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers transferred or transited at Heathrow between (a) two overseas destinations and (b) an overseas destination and a UK destination in each of the last five years.

Karen Buck: The following table shows passengers transferred at Heathrow between two overseas destinations, an overseas destination and a UK destination in each of the last five years.
	
		Transfer and transit passengers at Heathrow 200004 -- Million
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Transfer  
			 International to International 13.7 13.7 16.4 16.4 17.3 
			 International to Domestic 2.8 2.7 3.0 3.1 3.0 
			 Domestic to International 2.4 2.3 2.9 3.4 2.9 
			   
			 Transit  
			 International to International 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2

Aviation Policy

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received from the Sustainable Development Commission regarding the sustainability of the Government's aviation policies; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The Sustainable Development Commission have recently requested a meeting to discuss the proposals in their input to the Climate Change Programme Review. Their proposals include transport issues. A meeting will take place shortly.

Blue Badge Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in his review of the operation of the blue badge scheme.

Karen Buck: We are working to implement the recommendations for changes to the scheme made by our statutory advisers, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.
	These changes involve amendment to both primary and secondary legislation as well as further research in some areas and revised guidance to local authorities.
	Primary legislation
	Provision for a power to inspect blue badges has been made through Section 94 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. We will be consulting on the guidance for enforcement officers and badge holders during the summer. The new power will be introduced later this year by commencement order once the necessary guidance is in place.
	Two other changes have been included in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. One to change the term 'institution' used in existing blue badge legislation to 'organisation' and another to allow for reciprocity with European Union member states and other countries. These measures are due to be introduced by commencement order at the end of June.
	Secondary legislation
	We are working on the recommendations requiring changes to regulations (including extending the scheme to children under the age of two and those with temporary disabilities) and we will consult on the draft regulatory package during the summer this year.
	Research
	We have recently let contracts for the following projects:
	Feasibility study into setting up a national database of blue badge holders;
	Looking into the independent mobility needs of certain groups of people (e.g. those with autism or mental health problems) to determine whether there is a need for extending the eligibility for a badge; and
	Examination of the provision and use of parking spaces for disabled people in the central London area.
	Two of the projects are scheduled for completion in December this year and the central London project in February next year, when final reports should be available.
	Guidance
	New guidance for issuing authorities and badge holders will be produced to cover all aspects of the scheme and issued when changes have been introduced.

Laptop Computers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost of the use of laptops in that period was; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The information requested on the use of laptop computers by officials in each year since 1995 is not available centrally or in the form requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of laptop computers available for use by Ministers, special advisers and their offices since the establishment of the Department for Transport on 29 May 2002 is as follows:
	2002: 3 available for use by Ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.
	2003: 4 available for use by ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.
	2004: 4 available for use by Ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.
	2005: 4 available for use by Ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.
	Departmental records show the following numbers of lost or stolen laptop computers since the establishment of the Department for Transport on 29 May 2002:
	
		
			  Lost Stolen 
		
		
			 Department for Transport 4 7 
			 Driving Standards Agency  11 
			 Highways Agency 1 10 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 6 5 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency  2 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency  13

Railways

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects a direct rail link between Thirsk and London to be established; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The Office of Rail Regulation is examining an application from Grand Central Railway to operate a direct rail service from Sunderland to London Kings Cross calling at Thirsk and will announce its findings in due course.

Railways

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for the future of sleeper train services in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Darling: There is no general policy in relation to sleeper services. When considering the specification for each new franchise the value for money and affordability of all services currently provided by that franchise will be considered.

Railways

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department has spent on preparatory work on light rail projects in (a) Manchester, (b) Liverpool, (c) Leeds and (d) Portsmouth.

Alistair Darling: My Department has provided 119 million to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive towards the scheme costs for Phase III of Manchester Metrolink. An additional 80 million has been provided to allow GMPTE to buy out the concession for Metrolink.
	We are providing 4.2 million towards the preparatory costs incurred for developing the Merseytram Line 1 proposal.
	We have provided 6 million to West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive towards the scheme costs for Leeds Supertram proposal.
	We have provided 3 million to the promoters of South Hampshire Rapid Transit towards the scheme costs.

Road Schemes

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on (a) capital projects, (b) maintenance and (c) improvement schemes on (i)motorways and (ii) trunk roads in (A) West Sussex, (B) Kent, (C) Durham, (D) East Riding of Yorkshire and (E) each English county in each of the last eight years.

Stephen Ladyman: The information cannot be provided as records are not readily available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Road Schemes

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) cost and (b) location was of each by-pass scheme approved in each of the past 15 years.

Stephen Ladyman: The following table provides information on by-passes that have been fully approved through the Local Transport Plan programme or have entered the Highways Agency's Targeted Programme of Improvements. Information is not held on trunk road by-passes prior to 1997 and prior to 2000 for major local road schemes.
	
		
			  Scheme  (b) Location (a) Cost ( million) 
		
		
			 Derby Southern By-pass and Derby Spur Derbyshire 19.8 
			 Blackburn Southern By-pass Contract I Lancashire 66 
			 Blackburn Southern By-pass Contract II Lancashire 80 
			 Stratton By-pass (DBFO) Wiltshire/Gloucestershire (3)104.6 
			 Latton By-pass (DBFO) Wiltshire/Gloucestershire  
			 Market Deeping/Deeping St. James By-pass Lincolnshire 7.6 
			 Newbury By-pass Berkshire 73.3 
			 Puddleton By-pass (DBFO) Devon/Dorset (4)135.1 
			 Derby Southern By-pass Contract B Leicestershire 9.6 
			 Polegate By-pass East Sussex 28.9 
			 Silverstone By-pass (including costs relating to A43 Whitifeld Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement and M40-B4031 Dualling) Northamptonshire 107.1 
			 Clapham By-pass Bedfordshire 43.9 
			 Stainburn and Great Clifton By-pass Cumbria 12.5 
			 Great Glen By-pass Leicestershire 20.9 
			 Nesscliffe By-pass Shropshire 20.2 
			 Basford, Hough, Shavington By-pass Cheshire 54.3 
			 Rothwell-Desborough By-pass Northamptonshire 19 
			 Rushden and Higham Ferrers By-pass Northamptonshire 15.7 
			 Aston Clinton By-pass Buckinghamshire 44.4 
			 Alvaston By-pass Derbyshire 22.3 
			 Bingley Relief Road Bradford MBC 90.5 
			 Selby By-pass North Yorkshire 66.1 
			 Wadesmill Colliers End Hertfordshire 40.1 
			 Lamberhurst By-pass Kent 25.5 
			 Chilton By-pass Durham 9 
			 Skelton Brotton By-pass Redcar and Cleveland 16 
			 A4146 Stoke Hammond/Linslade Western By-pass Buckinghamshire 53.8 
			 Denaby Main Diversion Doncaster 9 
			 Barnsley Coalfields Link Road Barnsley 6.5 
			 A57 Cadishead Way (Brinell Drive to City Boundary) Salford, Greater Manchester 19.9 
			 Carlisle Northern Development Route Carlisle, Cumbria (5)78.8 
			 Rearsby By-pass Leicestershire 7.5 
			 Partney By-passscheme part of 3 phases Lincolnshire 15.5 
			 Gloucester South West By-pass Gloucestershire 35.7 
			 Barnstaple Western By-pass Devon 39.9 
			 Broome-Ellingham By-pass Norfolk 7.09 
			 Great Leighs By-pass Essex 17.1 
			 Baldock By-pass Hertfordshire 47.3 
			 A142 Fordham By-pass Cambridgeshire 12.5 
		
	
	(3)Latest outturn cost for the A417/A419 Swindon to Gloucester DBFO.
	(4)Latest outturn cost for the A30/A35 Exeter-Bere Regis DBFO.
	(5)PFI.

Stations

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies are participating in the secure station scheme.

Karen Buck: The following 19 train operating companies, including the London Underground, are participating in the secure stations scheme:
	Arriva Trains Wales
	C2C
	Eurostar
	First Great Western
	Gatwick Station Services
	GNER
	London and Continental Stations and Property
	London Undergroundthe Tube
	Merseyrail
	Midland Mainline
	Northern Rail
	Network Rail
	One Railway
	Serco Docklands Ltd
	Silverlink
	Southern
	South West Trains
	Thameslink
	Virgin
	Approximately two thirds of all overground rail journeys, one tenth of London Underground journeys and 90 per cent. of DLR journeys involve passengers starting or finishing their journey at a secure station.

Stations

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Network Rail in the last six months about upgrading stations; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Ministers are exploring with Network Rail what the company might do proactively to further address capacity problems at the larger stations across the network by working with private developers to realise additional development gain. Network Rail advises that further proposals are anticipated for a number of London mainline stations in the near future and that it is working on next stage development projects for smaller stations. These schemes will require works to Network Rail specification, but will build in scope for bidders to reduce the net cost by exploiting development potential.

Vehicle Registration

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the penalties are for failing to have a V5C Vehicle Registration document; and from when they apply.

Stephen Ladyman: A keeper of a vehicle commits an offence for failing to produce a vehicle registration document (V5), or a vehicle registration certificate (V5C) for inspection, if required to do so at any reasonable time, to a police constable or a person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State. A vehicle keeper, if found guilty of this offence, is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of 500.
	There is no specific penalty for not having the new vehicle registration certificate.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Council Tax

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will raise the lower earnings level at which council tax benefit starts to fall below the maximum to the level of the income tax personal allowance; and if he will estimate the cost of making such a change.

James Plaskitt: An individual's earnings is only one of several factors affecting council tax benefit entitlement and we have no plans to make such a change.

Council Tax

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioner households paid (a) more than 5 per cent. (b) more than 10 per cent. and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their gross income in council tax in the most recent year for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The proportion of pensioner households paying (a) more than 5 per cent. (b) more than 10 per cent. and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their household income in council tax for 200304, in Great Britain is presented in the following table:
	
		
			   Thresholds Percentage of pensioner households with  spending on council tax bills as a proportion of household income above thresholds 
		
		
			 (a) 5 per cent. 47 
			 (b) 10 per cent. 12 
			 (c) 15 per cent. 3 
		
	
	Note:
	Thresholds are calculated as quotients. The numerator 'council tax spent' is taken as the expenditure on council tax bill net of council tax benefit. The denominator is total household income net of council tax benefit.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (FRS), 200304

Home Responsibilities Protection

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether a woman who works for a short time during a year when she is otherwise engaged in full-time child care is eligible for continued home responsibilities protection.

Stephen Timms: Yes, provided she is entitled to child benefit throughout the tax year.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list flat rate housing allowances in each of the allowance pilot areas; what uprating methods are used for each allowance; and how many claimants of each flat rate allowance there are in each pilot area.

James Plaskitt: Local housing allowance rates are set according to broad rental market areas and the number of rooms a claimant is eligible to have under the size criteria.
	Local housing allowance rates are reviewed monthly by The Rent Service and the amount of local housing allowance payable is the rate that applies at the date of claim for benefit. Local housing allowance is awarded for one year unless a relevant change of circumstances occurs and triggers an earlier review.
	The information is in the tables.
	
		Local housing allowance (LHA) rate in Pathfinder areas, by broad market rental area (BRMA) and by type of LHAJune 2005 --  per week
		
			 Pathfinder areaBRMA Shared room rate 2 rooms 3 rooms 4 rooms 5 rooms 6 rooms 
		
		
			 BlackpoolFylde 50 77.5 102.5 110 127.5 149 
			 Brighton and Hove 70 130 171 208 237 276 
			 ConwyNorth coast 42.5 69 87 98 109 126 
			 ConwyNorth rural 40 63 74 82 85 107 
			 ConwyMenai 42.5 68 85 101 109 115 
			 Coventry 50 92 107 110 121 139 
			 EdinburghNorth 62 104 130 159 194 231 
			 EdinburghEast 62 101 130 159 200 237 
			 EdinburghCentral 69 115 147 190 248 306 
			 EdinburghSouth 62 104 133 161 202 237 
			 Leeds 50 83.5 101 113 123.5 137.5 
			 LewishamLSE Central 78 155 208 235 280 355 
			 LewishamLSE Inner 85 195 235 295 360 425 
			 NE Lincolnshire 43.5 62.5 80 87.5 90 97.5 
			 TeignbridgeTeign 61 87 113 131 150 160 
			 TeignbridgeExeter 60 101 127 148 165 205 
			 TeignbridgeTiverton and Crediton 58 84 107 127 149 163 
			 TeignbridgeTorbay 63 95 120 136 150 165 
			 TeignbridgeSouth Devon 59 93 118 133 153 162 
			 TeignbridgePlymouth Environs 58 89 104 121 133 153 
		
	
	Source:
	Data provided by The Rent Service, June 2005.
	
		Number of claimants by local housing allowance type in each pathfinder areaNovember 2004
		
			  Shared room rate 2 rooms 3 rooms 4 rooms 5 rooms 6 plus rooms All 
		
		
			 Blackpool 690 3,740 1,790 400 500 210 7,320 
			 Brighton and Hove 1,580 3,690 1,760 340 220 110 7,690 
			 Conwy 170 880 400 80 90 40 1,660 
			 Coventry 410 970 860 180 280 120 2,830 
			 Edinburgh 870 2,110 1,800 330 300 130 5,520 
			 Leeds 980 1,660 1,140 240 350 200 4,570 
			 Lewisham 1,010 1,070 760 190 210 90 3,340 
			 North East Lincolnshire 330 1,400 1,350 330 380 140 3,940 
			 Teignbridge 140 660 420 110 90 (6) 1,440 
			 All 6,170 16,180 10,270 2,200 2,430 1,060 38,300 
		
	
	(6)Nil or negligible.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and may not sum due to rounding.
	Source:
	DWP administrative data for Pathfinder data November 2004.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what percentage of housing benefit claims a rent officer determination was involved in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area.

James Plaskitt: This information is not available.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to process a housing benefit claim in the (a) private sector and (b) registered social landlord sector was in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by region.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the table.
	
		Average time (calendar days) taken to process a housing benefit claim in the private sector (PRS) and registered social landlord sector (RSL) in the fourth quarter of 200405
		
			 Government office region PRS claims RSL claims 
		
		
			 East Midlands 43 33 
			 Eastern 52 35 
			 London 52 40 
			 North East 46 36 
			 North West 39 32 
			 Scotland 43 30 
			 South East 43 30 
			 South West 41 32 
			 Wales 62 41 
			 West Midlands 42 39 
			 Yorks and Humberside 42 34 
			 National average 46 34 
		
	
	Note:
	Not all local authorities have returned data in every quarter; the reported figures are the weighted averages of those that have returned figures.
	Source:
	Local authority statistical returns.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable claimants in the housing benefit pathfinders; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: One of the aims of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is to promote personal responsibility and financial inclusion. As such the majority of customers will receive their LHA direct, and make their own arrangements to pay their rent to their landlord.
	However, in recognition of the risk that some tenants may struggle with this responsibility, safeguards have been put in place. Pathfinder authorities have the discretion to make the payment to the landlord in certain circumstances, where there is a history of vulnerability or failure to pay their rent.
	The local authorities implementing LHA have received guidance on when paying LHA to the tenant is likely to be inappropriate, but have the discretion to decide each case on its merits.
	In addition, current regulations allow for housing benefit to be paid directly to the landlord where a tenant accrues at least eight weeks rent arrears; this provision is extended to the LHA scheme.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of benefit claimants who have (a) lost and (b) gained as a result of the introduction of the local housing allowance, broken down by Pathfinder area; and how much on average such claimants have (i) lost and (ii) gained, broken down by Pathfinder area.

James Plaskitt: There are no losers on the Local Housing Allowance in the Pathfinder areas. Claimants who would have been financially worse off under the Local Housing Allowance compared to the old housing benefit system are transitionally protected.
	Information on those who are financially better off under the Local Housing Allowance compared to under the old housing benefit system is currently not available.
	The Department has commissioned a comprehensive, independent evaluation of the Local Housing Allowance Pathfinders. This will provide information on the impact of the Local Housing Allowance, including information about gainers. The first interim findings of the evaluation are being published over the summer and the results of the final evaluation will be published at the end of next year.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to process a housing benefit claim was when a rent officer determination (a) was involved and (b) was not involved in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of housing benefit claimants rent from the private sector in each of the housing benefit Pathfinder areas.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the table.
	
		Housing benefit private tenants(7) by PathfinderFebruary 2005
		
			Local authorityAll private(7) tenants Percentage of total housing benefit recipients that are private(7) tenants 
		
		
			 Blackpool 9,100 62.1 
			 Brighton and Hove 9,900 42.7 
			 Conwy 2,700 39.9 
			 Coventry 5,300 24.2 
			 Edinburgh 7,300 21.5 
			 Leeds 7,500 13.9 
			 Lewisham 5,200 18.2 
			 North East Lincoln 4,900 40.1 
			 Teignbridge 2,500 44.3 
		
	
	(7)Excluding registered social landlords.
	Notes:
	1. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. The caseloads are rounded to the nearest hundred and percentages are given to one decimal place.
	3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in February 2005.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many housing benefit recipients in the pathfinder areas have built up rent arrears of eight weeks or more following the introduction of direct payment; in which pathfinder areas they are located; and what the total amount of arrears is in each pathfinder since the introduction of the local housing allowance.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available for housing benefit. The available information for the local housing allowance is in the table.
	
		Local housing allowance recipients in the pathfinder areas who built up rent arrears of eight weeks or more, February 2005
		
			 Pathfinder areas Number of LHA claimants Number of  LHA claimants with 8 weeks or more rent arrears Proportion of LHA claimants with 8 weeks or more rent arrears (%) 
		
		
			 Blackpool 8,140 630 8 
			 Brighton and Hove 8,210 200 2 
			 Conwy 1,990 30 2 
			 Coventry 3,600 100 3 
			 Edinburgh 5,940 50 1 
			 Leeds 5,900 280 5 
			 Lewisham 3,670 190 5 
			 North East Lincolnshire 4,220 110 3 
			 Teignbridge 1,870 30 1 
			 All pathfinders 4,540 1,620 4 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. There are differences between local authorities in classifying rent arrears. Therefore, the data reported may be over or underestimate of the actual situation.
	2. The reported percentages in pathfinder areas vary between 1 per cent. and 8 per cent. and the average may be over or under estimated.
	3. The data reported is a snapshot (mid February 2005) and not a full count of a quarter.
	Source:
	DWP administrative data for Pathfinder areas. February 2005.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average standard housing allowances are in each of the housing benefit pathfinder areas, broken down by household type.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the table.
	
		Average local housing allowance amount for claimants in each Pathfinder area broken down by household type --  per week
		
			  Couple (under 60) with children Couple (under 60) no children Single (under 60) with children Single (under 60) no children Single pensioner Couple pensioner All 
		
		
			 Blackpool 114 79 105 72 75 79 86 
			 Brighton 193 127 176 106 117 130 129 
			 Conwy 96 71 89 62 65 68 73 
			 Coventry 119 91 107 73 79 89 92 
			 Edinburgh 171 111 147 94 99 114 120 
			 Leeds 119 84 109 72 77 88 88 
			 Lewisham 247 151 223 115 131 164 158 
			 North East Lincs 87 67 79 64 64 66 73 
			 Teignbridge 126 87 114 75 81 82 95 
			 All 144 94 129 88 89 91 105 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Household status refers only to the claimant.
	2. Local housing allowance amount refers to the maximum amount a claimant is eligible to receive. The amount of benefit a claimant actually receives may differ because of their circumstances.
	3. Due to data concerns the table does not include the full local housing allowance caseload.
	Source:
	DWP administrative data for Pathfinder data November 2004, DWP income support data October and November 2004, DWP pension credit data Nov 2004, DWP jobseeker's allowance data Nov 2004.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the level of (a) fraud and (b) error in housing benefit payments was as a percentage of housing benefit expenditure in each year since 1997; and what sums were involved in each case in each year, broken down by (i) region and (ii) local authority area;
	(2)  what the total amount of overpayments of housing benefit was in each year since 1997, broken down by region.

James Plaskitt: The Department has undertaken continuous measurement of housing benefit fraud and error since 200203. The latest available headline information was published in the report Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit, April 2002 to March 2004, Part One on 24 February 2005.
	Information is not available at local authority level. Information at regional level is contained within the supplementary report, Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit, April 2002 to March 2004, Part Two, which was published on 26th May 2005.
	Both reports are in the Library.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for further changes to the single room rent restriction.

James Plaskitt: There are no current plans to change the housing benefit single room rent restriction. However, under the local housing allowance, young people who would otherwise have been subject to the single room rent are entitled to the new shared room rate. This is based on a more generous definition than the existing single room rent.
	The impact of this new rate will be assessed as part of the evaluation of the local housing allowance in nine pathfinder local authority areas. This evaluation will help inform national roll out.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the effect on the level of average housing benefit of the single room rent restriction.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. However, as at February 2005 the average weekly housing benefit award for cases assessed under the single room rent was 48.73.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average housing benefit payment in each housing authority area in the North East was in November (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) 2004.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the table.
	
		Average weekly amount of housing benefit in north-east local authorities: November 2000 to 2004 -- 
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 North East GOR 40.19 42.36 45.78 45.06 47.68 
			 Alnwick 37.26 38.64 40.56 42.46 43.72 
			 Berwick upon Tweed 36.27 38.66 40.14 42.25 43.78 
			 Blyth Valley 35.83 37.65 40.16 40.63 41.84 
			 Castle Morpeth 37.67 39.60 41.61 44.73 46.05 
			 Chester le Street 36.61 38.68 40.73 41.70 45.29 
			 Darlington 43.08 46.20 51.02 49.51 51.91 
			 Derwentside 41.34 44.37 43.49 43.69 46.27 
			 Durham 37.78 39.70 43.23 42.96 45.70 
			 Easington 36.08 38.45 40.20 40.81 44.53 
			 Gateshead 36.46 39.44 41.96 43.67 45.11 
			 Hartlepool 42.31 44.76 46.73 47.26 49.57 
			 Middlesbrough 45.76 48.15 51.55 50.75 52.87 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 43.29 45.69 51.22 47.80 49.82 
			 North Tyneside 38.64 41.33 46.90 45.22 47.11 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 41.98 43.52 45.52 48.25 50.92 
			 Sedgefield 37.44 39.62 42.56 43.42 45.73 
			 South Tyneside 38.23 37.47 38.46 35.91 42.41 
			 Stockton on Tees 42.11 44.49 47.22 47.01 50.15 
			 Sunderland 41.47 44.12 50.03 47.10 49.91 
			 Teesdale 41.53 43.08 45.11 45.39 46.64 
			 Tynedale 38.41 41.46 43.99 45.79 47.14 
			 Wansbeck 33.14 35.10 36.79 38.96 40.25 
			 Wear Valley 39.15 41.10 45.45 45.34 46.85 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data refer to benefit units which may be a single person, couple or family.
	2. The figures are shown to the nearest penny.
	3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken November 2000 to 2004.

Housing Allowance/Benefit

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time in England was for processing (a) initial housing benefit claims, (b) changes of circumstances in existing claims, (c) claims for council tax benefit and (d) changes of circumstances for council tax benefit, in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by local authority.

James Plaskitt: The information has been placed in the Library.

Rent Arrears

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the total amount of rent arrears of housing benefit recipients was in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area;
	(2)  how many housing benefit recipients have been evicted for rent arrears in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of households which accumulated rent arrears as a result of the time taken to process housing benefit claims in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Unemployment Levels

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the effect on levels of unemployment since 1997 of (a) the new deal and (b) Jobcentre Plus initiatives; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the effect of the new deal on the claimant count for unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The development of Jobcentre Plus is building on the high quality service already provided by social security offices and Jobcentres. The new offices deliver a single, integrated service with a clear focus on work to all people of working age. As a result of a strong economy and our active labour market policies, we have record levels of employment and the lowest sustained levels of unemployment for 30 years. The new deal has helped well over a million people to find jobs, and is giving people in all areas of the country the help and support they need to move off benefits and into work.
	The Jobcentre Plus client base has changed considerably over the past few years. Since May 1997 claimant unemployment has roughly halved and, as at April 2005, the UK claimant count stands at 839,400, down 782,200 (48 per cent.) since the 1997 election. The claimant unemployment rate is 2.7 per cent.; down 2.7percentage points since the 1997 election.
	ILO unemployment in the UK stands at 1.40 million (January-March 2005), down 654,000 (32 per cent.) since the 1997 election. The ILO unemployment rate is 4.7 per cent. down 2.5 percentage points since the 1997 election.
	The number of lone parents on benefit is down 20 per cent. to 763,000. Youth claimant unemployment has fallen by two-fifths, to its lowest level for 30 years; the number of 18 to 24-year-old claimants unemployed for more than a year has fallen by over 90 per cent.; and long-term adult unemployment (two year plus) has been cut by three quarters to its lowest level for 30 years.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many cases of work-related stress have been reported among House staff in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The Parliamentary Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service (OHSWS) have been recording cases of work-related stress as a separate category from other cases of stress only since the latter part of 2003; therefore accurate statistics are only available for 2004. In that year six cases were dealt with, representing approximately 0.38 per cent. of the House work force. Subsequent benchmarking has confirmed this to be a relatively low figure. Departments of the House and the OHSWS have proactively sought to support such staff, and consequent absence from work has been low. Long-term absence has been the exception rather than the rule. In most cases of reported stress, work is one of a number of contributory factors, including personal problems. No cases have resulted in civil action and resultant compensation.
	Over the past year OHSWS have been leading a review of how the House manages and supports staff concerning issues of stress and wellbeing. Extensive research, benchmarking and gap analysis shows that appropriate support mechanisms are in place for staff. The House is committed to continuous improvement and implementing best practice, and the arrangements for minimising, recognising and managing stress at work are currently under review.
	No estimate has been made of the cost of days lost as a result of work-related stress, or of the measures to deal with it.

DEFENCE

Bullying/Harassment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many of the complaints under Army redress procedures upheld or partially upheld between 1997 and 2003 related to issues of bullying or harassment; and how many (a) officers, (b) non-commissioned officers and (c) private soldiers were disciplined as a result;
	(2)  how many complaints have been considered by the Army Board from soldiers who are serving, or who have served, at (a) Deepcut Barracks and (b) ITC Catterick since 1997; and how many of these complaints related to issues of bullying or harassment.

Don Touhig: Bullying is not a criminal offence, nor a clearly defined form of behaviour; there are various definitions that cover all forms of harassment, abuse or intimidation. Furthermore, complainants do not use a standard form of words and cases are recorded using the wording adopted by those making a complaint or seeking redress. Consequently, we are unable to identify every allegation, complaint or investigation that involves bullying without conducting a trawl of individual case records and archives, held in various databases and paper files. Our records do not lend themselves to the kind of analysis which these questions demand. Essentially, we would need to examine every case considered by the Army Board and make a judgment as to whether bullying or harassment were significant factors in the complaint. This would be extremely time consuming and it may not be immediately apparent whether this is the case or not. The scope for interpretation may also be quite wide. However, we have undertaken a rudimentary electronic search of our databases and spreadsheets to ascertain which complaints record allegations of bullying or harassment. This has highlighted eight cases, none of which relate to complaints upheld or partially upheld, by the Army Board.
	None of the eight cases referred to relate to incidents alleged to have taken place at either Deepcut or Catterick.

Dentistry

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the availability of military dental practitioners in the services to practise on reserve forces personnel; and whether his Department's policy has changed on the use of military dental practitioners by reserve forces personnel.

Don Touhig: Reserve forces personnel are entitled to treatment on operations and exercises and during periods of military training. Dental teams are established at Chilwell to undertake initial dental examination and to provide urgently required treatment (if time allows) for reserve forces personnel called forward for deployment. There is no spare capacity within the Defence Dental Services to routinely treat reserve forces personnel.

Military Readiness

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the finding of the National Audit Office report Assessing and Reporting Military Readiness, paragraph 2.22, concerning the land contribution to any Joint Rapid Reaction Force; what land contribution the UK is able to make to such a force; what units are potentially available at the moment in extremis; and what limitations are being imposed by the factors mentioned in the paragraph.

Adam Ingram: It is accepted that our continued commitment to operations in Iraq is impacting on the Army's ability to recuperate all land elements of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF). Under routine circumstances, the Army would maintain the following contingent land forces: a brigade sized grouping held at High Readiness; and two Strategic Reservesthe Spearhead Land Element (SLE) held at Extremely High Readiness and the Airborne Task Force (ABTF) held at Very High Readiness.
	Since Operation Telic commenced the High Readiness Brigade has been routinely deployed to Iraq and has therefore been unavailable to the JRRF. Nonetheless, the SLE and ABTF have been maintained throughout.

Napalm Weapons (RAF Fairford)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that United States planes flying out of RAF Fairford do not use MK 77 napalm weapons.

John Reid: The operational use of the United Kingdom bases, including RAF Fairford, by the United States forces is a matter for joint decision by the UK and US Governments. It is not our practice to speculate or comment on specific aspects, such as weapons systems.

RAF Relocations

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost will be of the re-locations of other service units located at RAF Innsworth following the relocation of Personnel and Training Command to RAF High Wycombe; and if he will list the proposed locations of these units.

Adam Ingram: An element of the Armed Forces Personnel Administrative Agency (AFPAA) is located at RAF Innsworth. AFPAA are carrying out a separate investment appraisal into the options for their relocation from Innsworth. The results of this will not be known before the end of the year.

Regimental Uniforms

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 56W, on regimental uniforms, what the life expectancy is of each uniform; what the initial outfit allowance is for the (a) English, (b) Welsh and (c) Scottish Infantry regiments; when the last increase in initial outfit allowance was made; and what the previous allowance was.

Don Touhig: An Officers' Outfit Allowance is awarded on commissioning to allow officers to purchase their first uniform. Officers joining the majority of English and Welsh infantry regiments receive the standard allowance of 2,122.
	For those joining certain regiments the allowance is adjusted in line with the type, and therefore cost, of their uniform, which varies across the Infantry. Those English, Welsh and Scottish infantry regiments where the Officers' Outfit Allowance differs from the standard rate are the Foot Guards (2,774), the Lowland Regiments (2,057), the Highland Regiments (2,510), the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Parachute Regiment (both 2,032).
	The Officers' Outfit Allowance was raised to its current level in 1994. Before this all newly commissioned officers into the infantry regiments received an allowance of 1,945 with the exception of those joining the Foot Guards (2,706), the Lowland Regiments (1,930) and the Highland Regiments (2,330).
	Officers' uniforms do not have a specific life expectancy as such. All uniforms are chosen on the basis that they are hard wearing and suitable for the tasks demanded of them. Officers are expected to keep their uniform in good order and maintain and replace accordingly. To do this an annual tax credit is awarded, based on the initial Outfit Allowance. This allows officers to purchase a new Service uniform approximately every five years.

Trafalgar Class Vessels

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 18W, on Trafalgar Class Vessels, what the theoretical safety concern and safety justification involved were; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: It is an essential, mandatory and routine requirement to operate a Royal Navy nuclear submarine, that a safety justification is maintained which demonstrates it is safe to do so. This requires any issues potentially affecting the safe operation of the submarine, including theoretical ones, to be considered.
	The theoretical safety concern on HMS Torbay and HMS Tireless centred on the potential effect of a number of small manufacturing imperfections in their nuclear reactor plant. A previous analysis had indicated that these imperfections were acceptable but a more modern analysis, using the latest information on material properties and component stress values, showed an increased theoretical risk of failure in some of these components. While there was no new defect, as part of the Royal Navy's commitment to safety, the decision was taken that the two submarines should not be operated further until the technical aspects had been fully examined and their continued safe operation could be justified. For HMS Torbay a safety justification is now in place to allow the operation of her nuclear reactor plant. The safety justification work required for HMS Tireless will be undertaken during her programmed maintenance and upgrade period, which is under way at Devonport.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Airbus A350

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the requests he has received regarding launch investment for the development of the Airbus A350; what assessment he has made of the implications of this project for the UK economy; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Airbus UK has formally submitted an application for launch investment, the terms of which are strictly confidential. It would not be appropriate to make a statement at this stage.

Broadband (East Sussex)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding broadband access in East Sussex; and if he will make a statement.

Alun Michael: I am not aware of any recent correspondence relating specifically to East Sussex, though there is considerable correspondence about broadband. Great progress has been made in terms of broadband across the country, by the end of this summer over 99 per cent. of the population will have access. Activity to address the remaining gaps in coverage is taking place regionally.
	I am pleased to say that access in East Sussex is extensive. All telephone exchanges except one are enabled for broadband and that one (Isfield) has a commercial wireless service which was installed about a month ago.

MG Rover

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish (a) the written recordings of conversations and (b) correspondence between (i) Ministers and (ii) officials from his Department and senior members of MG Rover's management that took place in the week commencing Monday 4 April.

Ian Pearson: It would be inappropriate to release this information at this time as it would breach commercial confidentiality and may prejudice the position of the administrators.

MG Rover

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether (a) he and (b) officials in his Department are in continuing discussions with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

Ian Pearson: Since SAIC made it clear they were not interested in pursuing a deal in the week following MG Rover's entry into administration, there has been no contact with SAIC by the Secretary of State or DTI officials as regards MG Rover.

MG Rover

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is in continuing discussions with the former senior managers of MG Rover.

Ian Pearson: There has been no ongoing contact between the Secretary of State and the former directors of Phoenix Venture Holdings since MG Rover's entry into administration.

MG Rover

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the collapse of MG Rover on Rover dealerships; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The collapse of MG Rover has had a devastating effect on MG Rover retailers. In response to this a sub-Group of the MG rover task force was set up. The sub-Group is chaired by Digby Jones, director general of the CBI and its membership is drawn from senior industry figures, the key trade associations, and Government officials. The sub-Group's role is to consider the impact of recent events on franchised dealerships and other retailers and service providers in the retail automotive sector. Progress to date includes:
	Advantage West Midlands have agreed to extend access to the Advantage Transition Bridge Fund' to franchised dealers. Loans of 50,000 to 500,000 will be available to those facing financial difficulty and having a viable recovery plan but insufficient finance from normal sources to implement it;
	HM Revenue and Customs are now applying the same approach to retailers as to suppliers as regards 'time to pay agreements' on VAT and PAYE, including to address the impact of VAT payable on bad debt. This includes pro-active calls to vulnerable retailers to discuss possible assistance;
	The Learning and Skills Council are ensuring that apprentices released by MGR retailers will be found alternative placements and funding;
	Job Centre Plus has agreed that those made redundant from retailers will be provided with their enhanced rapid response service, as being provided to MGR employees and those of suppliers; and
	Business Link has confirmed that they stand ready to provide business planning and other advice to the retail sector via their regional network
	The sub-Group continues to meet to monitor the situation and make recommendations to the Secretary of State on appropriate action to address the particular circumstances of the retail sector.

MG Rover

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the findings of the Financial Reporting Council concerning MG Rover; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 412W.

Permanent Secretary

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the reasons were for the decision by his Department in February to delay the appointment of a permanent secretary until later in the year; whether this decision was announced publicly; and when he expects to announce the appointment of a new permanent secretary.

John Hutton: I have been asked to reply.
	The decision not to appoint was taken in light of the need to consider the broader picture of permanent secretary moves over the summer including the retirement of Sir Andrew Turnbull. Both No. 10 and Department of Trade and Industry issued press notices on 8 February 2005. The appointment will be settled in the next few months.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Crime (Middlesbrough)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of identity fraud have been recorded in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last three years.

Andy Burnham: Offences of identity fraud cannot be separately identified in the recorded crime series and the information requested is therefore not available centrally.

Identity Cards Bill

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a registered person would have the right to see the audit trail of information held on him under Schedule 1, paragraph 9 of the Identity Cards Bill.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 23 June 2005
	Schedule 1, paragraph 9 of the Identity Cards Bill allows for a record of every occasion on which information has been provided to a third party, and details of who that third party was, to be kept on the National Identity Register.
	Private organisations requesting verification of identity from the National Identity Register can only do so with the consent of the registered individual. Information can only be supplied without consent in the specific circumstances outlined in CI. 1923 of the Identity Cards Bill.
	The individual will always have subject access rights under the Data Protection Act 1998, subject to any exemptions within that Act, to information in their entry. This would include the information held on that individual under Schedule 1, paragraph 9 of the Identity Cards Bill.

Identity Cards Bill

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what percentage of persons registered in the National Identity Register he estimates (a) no biometric information and (b) no biometric information other than the face biometric would be recorded, broken down by (i) ethnicity, (ii) socio-economic group, (iii) occupation and (iv) age.

Andy Burnham: As biometric technology is constantly evolving and improving, it is not possible to give a precise estimate until technology performance requirements are established and equipment is procured for the Identity Card Scheme. The most recent research figures are from the UKPS biometric trial. However, this was not intended as a test of technology and the equipment used will have evolved significantly by the time the Identity Cards Scheme is introduced. Nevertheless, the trial did demonstrate that the number unable to record any biometric information is statistically small and special arrangements, including improved enrolment facilities are being considered for this group. Specifically, the result of this trial demonstrated that, of the total sample, 99.954 per cent. of participants could successfully record at least one biometric successfully. 0.29 per cent. of the entire sample were only able to record the facial biometric on its own. The following tables show the enrolment rates broken down by ethnicity, age and socio-economic group. References in the tables to the face failure rate refers only to the first attemptvirtually all individuals were successful after multiple attempts but these figures are not available in the report. The iris and fingerprint figures were for multiple attempts. In addition, the trial results provided some breakdowns for successful enrolment of each individual biometric by ethnicity, socio-economic group and age, although no breakdown provided for the provision of all three and there is no breakdown by occupation. Nor were there breakdowns for the requested groups for those who could provide no biometric information other than face. The relevant information which was recorded during the trial is shown in the following tables. Reference to face failure rate refers to only the first attemptvirtually all were successful after multiple attempts but no figures were provided in the evaluation report.
	
		Successful enrolment rates
		
			  Percentage 
			 Ethnicity Fingerprint Iris Face 
		
		
			 Asian 99.07 88.09 96.91 
			 Black 97.72 81.01 93.06 
			 Chinese/East Asian 100.00 85.05 95.50 
			 White 99.37 91.33 95.24 
			 Other 99.25 90.11 96.22 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures from Quota and Opportunistic Groups
	
		
			  Percentage 
			 Age Fingerprint Iris Face 
		
		
			 1824 98.96 90.89 97.63 
			 2534 99.10 93.48 97.16 
			 3544 99.46 94.41 95.89 
			 4554 99.46 92.23 95.58 
			 5559 99.07 91.31 95.06 
			 6064 99.41 86.81 94.92 
			 65 plus 99.32 78.27 95.95 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures from Quota and Opportunistic Groups
	
		
			 Socio-economic group Fingerprint percentage 
		
		
			 A 100.00 
			 B 98.70 
			 C1 98.39 
			 C2 99.48 
			 D 98.00 
			 E 97.30 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures for Quota Group only.
	2. Iris and face successful enrolment rates broken down by socio-economic group were not part of the terms of reference for this part of the study.
	
		Unsuccessful enrolment rates
		
			  Percentage 
			 Ethnicity Fingerprint Iris Face 
		
		
			 Asian 0.93 11.91 3.09 
			 Black 2.28 18.99 6.94 
			 Chinese/East Asian 0.00 13.95 4.50 
			 White 0.63 8.67 4.76 
			 Other 0.75 9.89 3.78 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures from Quota and Opportunistic Groups.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			 Age Fingerprint Iris Face 
		
		
			 1824 1.04 9.11 2.37 
			 2534 0.90 6.52 2.84 
			 3544 0.54 5.59 4.11 
			 4554 0.54 7.77 4.42 
			 5559 0.93 8.69 4.94 
			 6064 0.59 13.19 5.08 
			 65 plus 0.68 21.73 4.05 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures from Quota and Opportunistic Groups

Mobile Fingerprint Technology

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Department has to enable the police to fit mobile fingerprint technology to their vehicles.

Hazel Blears: Work on introducing mobile fingerprint technology and fitting them to police vehicles is being taken forward by the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) in conjunction with the police service. At present an operational demonstrator has been fitted to a number of vehicles in a pilot force.

Muggings

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in each year since the introduction of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in each age cohort under the age of 18 have been issued with reprimands or final warnings for muggings; and how many of those have later been convicted of another offence.

Hazel Blears: It is not possible to distinguish 'muggings' from other forms of robbery. Available information from the Home Office Court Proceedings database on the number of persons in each age cohort under the age of 18 who have been issued with a reprimand or final warning since the introduction of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, for robbery are contained in the table. It is not possible to identify those offenders who have then later been convicted of another offence. Statistics for 2004 will be available in the autumn.
	
		Number of juveniles issued with a reprimand or final warning for robbery, by age cohort, England and Wales 19992003(8)
		
			  Age cohorts 
			 Offence: Robbery Statute: Theft Act 1968 Sec 8 1011 years 1214 years 1517 years 
		
		
			 1999 53 233 191 
			 2000 66 266 187 
			 2001 39 228 195 
			 2002 36 182 121 
			 2003 44 188 128 
		
	
	(8)These data are on the principal offence basis

Recreational Drugs

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated concerning the effects of using Viagra as a recreational drug along with amyl nitrates.

Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
	Before a medicine can be marketed in the United Kingdom, the manufacturer is required to conduct extensive clinical trials, the results of which are carefully evaluated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on behalf of the Licensing Authority. The Licensing Authority decides whether a marketing authorisation (product licence) can be granted and is advised on this matter by an independent advisory body, the Committee on Safety of Medicines. As independent experts, they undertake a thorough examination of the extensive scientific and technical information supplied in support of the application.
	The manufacturer, in conjunction with the Licensing Authority, has provided guidance on prescribing and use of Viagra in the summary of product characteristics for healthcare professionals and patient information leaflet (PIL) for patients. These documents provide full up-to-date information on correct use of Viagra, including contraindicating (prohibiting) the use of Viagra in combination with nitrates. The PIL states:
	Do not take Viagra if you are taking medicines containing nitrates, or nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite (poppers). Viagra can cause a serious increase in the effects of these medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines.

CABINET OFFICE

DirectGov

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the launch of the DirectGov internet portal for Government services.

Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave the hon. Member for Loughborough (Mr. Reed) on 28 June 2005, Official Report, column 1387W.

Laptop Computers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the use of laptops in that period; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The number of laptops used, lost and stolen in the Department in the period 2000 to 2004 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number used Number lost Number stolen 
		
		
			 2000 222 0 0 
			 2001 540 0 1 
			 2002 629 0 0 
			 2003 731 6 3 
			 2004 813 2 4 
		
	
	In addition the Cabinet Office Ministerial Support Group currently has a pool of 12 laptops for the use of Ministers, special advisers and officials within the group.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Antarctic Consultative Meeting (Swedish Proposal)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy positions the Government advocated at the 28th Antarctic Consultative Meeting, with particular reference to the Swedish proposal regarding the remedying of pollution.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 20 June 2005
	A new annex on Liability Arising from Environmental Emergencies to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was adopted at the 28th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, held this year in Stockholm from 6 to 17 June 2005.
	This new annex has been the subject of negotiations among Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties for the past 12 years. The UK has been actively and constructively engaged in all negotiations and is fully committed to the implementation of the new annex.
	UK-led initiatives on other issues that were agreed in Stockholm included Site Guidelines for Visitors to Antarctica and a Management Plan for Deception Island.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prevalence of provocative nationalism by local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Douglas Alexander: Nationalist sentiments among all three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) continue to obstruct the reform process, notably on public broadcasting, police restructuring and defence reform, all of which are requirements for BiH's further progress towards the European Union and NATO. We have made representations to the Bosnian authorities about the need to tackle this problem.
	As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, it is important that the constituent peoples of BiH and all the countries of the region turn away once and for all from nationalism and work to promote lasting reconciliation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the rate of return of displaced groups to their homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Douglas Alexander: According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) figures, the rate of return of displaced persons to their pre-war homes has dropped in the last five years, as most of those willing to return have now done so. The overall number of returns has. however, continued to increase slowly. By September last year, a million refugees and displaced people had returned to their homes, from an estimated 2.2 million displaced by the conflict of the 1990s.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the segregation of minority returnees in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Douglas Alexander: Of the approximately one million refugees and displaced people who had returned to their pre-war homes by January 2005, over 450,000 had returned to areas where they were not the ethnic majority. But there is more work to be done. Some minority returnees still face discrimination in access to jobs in public services and private employment and to education, health and social security. The failure to bring to justice all war crimes indictees has also reduced confidence in the return process. Economic development remains a priority to ensure the sustainable return of minority returnees.

Burma

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Burmese authorities on encouraging increased democracy in Burma; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) on 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 132W.

Burundi

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government provides to the Regional Peace Initiative for Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Regional Peace Initiative for Burundi (RPI) is chaired by Ugandan President Museveni and comprises representatives of the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa and Tanzania. The Government of Burundi, the African Union and the UN are party to its discussions. It meets on an ad hoc basis.
	The UK and EU partners provide political support to the RPI, and provide development support to Burundi in order to help it carry out the recommendations of the RPI. Total UK development assistance to Burundi in financial year 200506 will be around 10 million.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Joint Committee (EEC-India), (ii) Joint Committee (EC-Laos) and (iii) Joint Committee (EEC-Macao) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The EEC-India Joint Committee met once under the Dutch Presidency on 10 September 2004 in Brussels. It did not meet under the Italian or Irish Presidencies.
	The EEC-Laos Joint Committee met once under the Irish Presidency on 7 Jan 2004 in Vientiane. It did not meet under the Italian and Dutch Presidencies. The EEC-Macao Joint Committee met once under the Irish Presidency on 3 March 2004 in Macao. It did not meet during the Italian or Dutch Presidencies. These are Commission led groups, which the Presidency of the day attends as observers only, representing other member states. As such there were no British officials present at these meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) EEC-Mercosur Joint Advisory Committee, (ii) Joint Committee (EEC-Argentina) and (iii) Joint Committee (EEC-Brazil) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The EEC-Mercosur Joint Advisory Committee did not meet under the Italian, Irish or Dutch presidencies. The EEC Argentina Joint Committee met once during the Dutch presidency on 13 December 2004 in Buenos Aires. The UK was represented by staff of the British embassy in Buenos Aires. It did not meet under the Italian or Irish presidencies. The EEC-Brazil Joint Committee did not meet during the Italian, Irish or Dutch presidencies.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Joint Committee (EEC-Vietnam), (ii) Joint Committee (EEC-Central America) and (iii) Joint Committee (EEC-Mexico) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The EEC-Vietnam Joint Committee met once during the Italian presidency on 21 November 2003 in Brussels. This is a Commission led group, which the presidency of the day attends as observer only, representing other member states. As such there were no British officials present at these meetings. It did not meet under the Irish or Dutch presidencies of the EU. The EEC-Central America Joint Committee met once during the Italian presidency on 3 October 2003 in Brussels. The UK was represented by staff from the UK representation in Brussels. It did not meet under the Irish or Dutch presidencies. The EEC-Mexico Joint Committee met twice, once under the Italian presidency on 11 November 2003 in Brussels and once during the Dutch presidency on 10 November 2004 in Mexico. The UK was represented at the 2003 meeting by staff from the UK representation in Brussels and at the 2004 meeting by staff from the British embassy in Mexico City. It did not meet during the Irish presidency.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Joint Committee (EEC-Nepal), (ii) Joint Committee (EEC-Pakistan) and (iii) Joint Committee (EEC-Sri Lanka) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The EEC-Nepal Joint Committee met once under the Dutch presidency in September 2004 in Kathmandu. It did not meet under the Italian or Irish presidencies. The EEC-Pakistan Joint Committee did not meet under the Italian. Irish or Dutch presidencies. The EEC-Sri Lanka Joint Committee met once under the Dutch presidency on 29 October 2004 in Brussels. No meetings took place during the Italian or Irish presidencies. These are Commission led groups, which the presidency of the day attends as observers only, representing other member states. As such there were no British officials present at these meetings.

EU Constitution

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  whether it is his policy that the creation of an EU External Action Service, as proposed in Article III-296(3) of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, could be agreed without ratification of the Treaty;
	(2)  pursuant to his statement of 6 June 2005, Official Report, column 1000, on the EU Constitutional Treaty, whether it is his policy that the changes to the system of qualified majority voting proposed in the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, could be agreed without ratification of the Treaty;
	(3)  whether it is his policy that the creation of a President of the EU, as proposed in the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, could be agreed without ratification of the Treaty.

Douglas Alexander: The creation of a President of the EU as proposed in the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, the changes in respect of the voting system and the provision of an EU External Action Service could not be agreed without ratification of the Treaty or of an amendment of the existing EU Treaties by all the member states in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.

EU Linguistic Regime

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government will implement the EU linguistic regime, agreed at the General Affairs Council of 13 June, with respect to any of the UK's languages in addition to English.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 27 June 2005
	The General Affairs and External Relations Council of 13 June adopted conclusions, on a proposal from Spain, for a degree of official recognition in the EU of all languages that have official status in member states, either through their constitutions or national law. This means that member states may enter into administrative arrangements with the EU institutions over which languages may be used in relations with them, with the member state meeting all the direct or indirect costs incurred. Member states have agreed that any such arrangement should not have any effect on the otherwise efficient functioning of the institutions or on the legal status of the existing official languages of the Union. At the moment, Spain is the only country to have requested such arrangements for its regional languages. The Government have no current plans to make similar provisions for UK languages.

European Parliament

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the oral answer, of 21 June 2005, Official Report, column 653, on European Union (Finances), whether it is his Department's policy that the European Parliament should continue to meet in Strasbourg; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 27 June 2005
	Strasbourg was chosen as a site for the European Parliament (EP) in 1958, well before the UK joined the EU. It was chosen as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation. While the Government believe that the splitting of the EP's sites is far from ideal, any change to the status quo would need the unanimous agreement of all 25 member states. That looks unlikely for the foreseeable future.

Human Rights

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in South Wales on 12 September will include discussion of pan-European attitudes to human rights.

Douglas Alexander: The agenda for the meeting has not yet been set.

IT Contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) projected cost at the time of tender and (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by his Department in the last five years.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a devolved procurement structure covering the UK and its overseas posts (over 200). As such there is no central database of all the Information Communication Technology (1CT) contracts in the FCO. We have recently installed a new Electronic Resource Management (ERM) system in London and are in the process of installing this system in all our posts overseas. Until this is complete, and our new reporting systems are in place, we are unable to produce the information requested without exceeding the disproportionate cost threshold. We are. however, able to provide information on our major ICT contracts (in excess of 1 million) as required by the question. A full list of contracts, including costs, will be made available in spreadsheet format to the Library of the House.

Moldova

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Moldova.

Douglas Alexander: Foreign engagements for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers are kept under constant review. It is not our practice to announce such visits until they are firm. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events, final decisions on overseas visits are often not possible until very shortly before the day of travel.

Russia

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with Russian authorities to discuss British investment in Russia; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not recently met with Russian authorities to discuss British investment in Russia.
	However Russia offers many investment opportunities. Some notable UK investments include BP's $6.75 billion joint ventures with the Russian oil company TNK, Pilkington's 165 million investment to build a glass production plant in Moscow and Shell's operation in the $10 billion Sakhalin II project. Total foreign direct investment into Russia was $40.9 billion, a 36.4 per cent. increase on 2003, of which $7 billion is attributed to the UK.

Russia

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received about media independence in Russia; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Since June 2004, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has received one letter about the murders of journalists in Russia and three parliamentary questions about media freedom in the Russian Federation. The FCO's contacts with the NGO community reinforce the conclusion that media freedom is an important issue in the democratic development of Russia.
	We are actively engaged in a bilateral human rights dialogue with the Russian Government. The latest round of talks was held in Moscow on 23 May 2005 and included discussion of media freedom in Russia.
	We are also engaged, with our European partners, in biannual EU-Russia human rights consultations. The first session of consultations took place in Luxembourg on 1 March 2005. Media freedom in Russia was discussed. The next round of consultations is scheduled to take place under the UK Presidency of the EU on 8 September 2005.
	In addition to this, staff at our Embassy in Moscow continue to raise our concerns with their interlocutors in the Russian Government, including with official institutions in Russia that exist to protect and promote human rights.

Russia

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Russian Government about Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We have not had any recent discussions with Russia concerning World Trade Organisation accession, on which negotiations between the EU and Russia were concluded in May 2004.

Sudan

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Sudan concerning reports of fighting along its border with Eritrea; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 28 June 2005
	We are concerned by recent reports of fighting around the town of Tokar in Eastern Sudan between the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front, supported by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). Our ambassador in Khartoum raised this issue with the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front on 23 June.
	The UK special representative for Darfur raised this matter with the JEM in Abuja on 21 June. We have re-iterated to the Eastern Front that co-operation with the JEM in military operations unnecessarily complicates the issues in the East and undermines their claims of commitment to a peaceful resolution.
	We have made clear to all parties that any attacks are totally unacceptable, and there is no military solution to the problems in the East, nor to those elsewhere in Sudan. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement provides the framework for a political solution throughout the country, including Darfur and the East. The Government of Sudan have stated its readiness to engage in consultations with the Eastern Front. We are pressing the Eastern Front to do the same.

Uzbekistan

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts he is making to lobby for an end to the 'sizdan ugina, bizdan bugina' culture of public officials in Uzbekistan; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Good governance, both economic and political, is a key aspect of our dialogue with Uzbekistan. We have consistently and repeatedly brought to the attention of senior Government figures the importance of transparency in governance and the negative effects of corruption. In a speech to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC on 18 May 2005, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary called upon the Uzbek Government to develop a much more open and pluralistic society in order to address the root causes of the recent disturbances in Andizhan. This message has also been taken forward in Uzbekistan. On 15 May, our ambassador to Tashkent raised with Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov the importance of political and economic reform in the light of events in Andizhan.

Uzbekistan

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Kyrgyz authorities to protest against the apparent forced return of Uzbek refugees in early June to their home country; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 20 June 2005, Official Report, column 733W to my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, South (Mr. Jones).

Uzbekistan

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits the UK ambassador in Tashkent has made to (a) Andijan and (b) the Fergana Valley since 17 May.

Douglas Alexander: David Moran, our ambassador to Tashkent, has made two visits to Andizhan (Andijan) since 17 May 2005.
	The first was on 18 May. when he accompanied a group of diplomats, members of international organisations and the media. Mr. Moran's lobbying had been instrumental in prompting the Uzbek authorities to organise this visit. The event was tightly controlled, and Mr. Moran was unable to engage members of the public. Having pressed Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov on these restrictions. Mr. Moran secured agreement that he and EU colleagues could return unaccompanied.
	On 26 and 27 May, Mr. Moran returned to Andizhan. He visited the central Yangi bazaar, and the city's central square. There was a high security service presence, and members of the public appeared afraid to approach Mr. Moran. He had a similar experience at the Kyrgyz border near Pakhtaabad. and at the border town of Karasu. This represented a distinct change from public behaviour in early May. when people had gathered around the visiting Defence Attache's car. and asked him to pass news of events in Andizhan outside Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what his policy is on the OSCE's efforts to promote a public inquiry into the events of 13 May in Andijan in Uzbekistan;
	(2)  how many people he estimates have died in the apparent uprising in Andijan in Uzbekistan on 13 May;
	(3)  what efforts he has made to investigate the events of 13 May in Andijan in Uzbekistan; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We were extremely disturbed by reports of Uzbek troops firing on demonstrators in Andizhan (Andijan). When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary first heard these reports, he urged the Uzbek Government to allow an independent, international investigation. We are pleased that the US, the UN, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and NATO have all done the same. The UK was at the forefront in condemning the indiscriminate and disproportionate use offeree by the Uzbek Government.
	Islam Karimov, Uzbek President, responded to our repeated calls for an inquiry by creating a Parliamentary Committee to investigate the unrest. We, and our European Union (EU) partners, have made clear that we consider this an insufficient response. On 13 June, the General Affairs External Relations Council (GAERC) called on the Uzbek Government to reconsider its position, giving a deadline of 30 June. Failure to do so will lead to punitive EU measures, including partial suspension of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA).
	It is not possible to say how many people died during the unrest in Andizhan, but the recent OCSE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' (ODIHR) report, which was published on 20 June, estimated that between 300 and 500 were killed.

Uzbekistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the situation in Andijan, Uzbekistan has been stabilised; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Staff from the British Embassy in Tashkent have made five visits to Andizhan (Andijan) and the surrounding region since the unrest began. David Moran, our Ambasssador to Tashkent, visited first on 18 May when he accompanied a group of diplomats, members of international organisations and the media. Mr. Moran's lobbying had been instrumental in prompting the Uzbek authorities to organise this visit. The event was tightly controlled, and Mr. Moran was unable to engage members of the public. Having pressed Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov on these restrictions, Mr. Moran secured agreement that he and EU colleagues could return unaccompanied.
	He visited Andizhan again on 26 May, when he saw the central Yangi bazaar, and city's central square. On the same visit, he also went to the border town of Karasu, where he observed brisk market trading. Since the visits made by Embassy staff earlier in May, however, he noticed a significant increase in security service presence, and commented that members of the public appeared afraid to approach him.

Uzbekistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with those conducting the investigations into the Andijan uprising.

Douglas Alexander: In late May 2005. Uzbek President Karimov responded to repeated calls for an independent, international inquiry by creating a Parliamentary Committee to investigate the events of 1213 May in Andizhan (Andijan), inviting diplomats from the US, France, Russia, China and Uzbekistan's regional neighbours to observe its work. On 13 June, at the General Affairs External Relations Council (GAERC), we and our EU partners rejected Karimov's proposal, and reaffirmed our call for an independent international investigation, giving a deadline of 30 June. In view of this, we have made no attempt to contact the Uzbek Parliamentary Committee.
	We are, however, continuing to monitor closely the situation in Andizhan. Members of staff from the British Embassy, Tashkent, have visited the area five times since 13 May. We are also aware of the reports published by the US-based NGO Human Rights Watch, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which suggest that the Uzbek authorities used indiscriminate and disproportionate force in Andizhan. These reports, which include interviews with eye witnesses now on the Kyrgyz side of the border, further underline the need for a comprehensive, international and independent inquiry in Uzbekistan.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Crime (Commercial Premises)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the recorded level of crime involving commercial premises in each Belfast police district in each of the past five years with reference to (a) burglary, (b) robbery, (c) armed robbery, (d) theft and (e) shoplifting.

Shaun Woodward: The statistics requested are as in the following tables. Figures relating to thefts from commercial premises have not been provided as it is not possible to differentiate between personal and business victims.
	
		Crimes recorded by the police
		
			 Offence type 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 East Belfast District command Unit  
			 Non-domestic burglary 410 403 518 358 283 
			 Robberybusiness 20 25 23 8 8 
			 Armed robberybusiness 58 106 106 78 35 
			 Shoplifting 413 290 265 226 223 
			   
			 North Belfast District Command Unit  
			 Non-domestic burglary 320 454 426 389 294 
			 Robberybusiness 34 36 39 27 11 
			 Armed robberybusiness 73 137 189 98 110 
			 Shoplifting 288 271 229 169 159 
			   
			 South Belfast District Command Unit  
			 Non-domestic burglary 644 736 877 659 899 
			 Robberybusiness 42 69 70 43 26 
			 Armed robberybusiness 103 185 161 109 105 
			 Shoplifting 1,570 1,442 1,251 1,096 1,211 
			   
			 West Belfast District Command Unit  
			 Non-domestic burglary 195 246 197 132 132 
			 Robberybusiness 18 23 22 13 5 
			 Armed robberybusiness 72 64 77 53 34 
			 Shoplifting 149 131 103 71 49 
		
	
	Source:
	Central Statistics Unit, PSNI

Crime Reporting

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been carried out by his Department into the change in the level of non-reporting of crime in Northern Ireland in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Change in the level of reporting of crime in Northern Ireland is most frequently measured by the Northern Ireland Crime Survey (NICS), the most recent published results for which relate to the 1998, 2001 and 200304 sweeps. In addition, the 2000 International Crime Victim Survey (ICVS) compared crime reporting rates across 17 industrialised countries or regions, including Northern Ireland.
	Although, typically, less than half of crime is reported to the police, Northern Ireland tends to have a higher reporting rate than England and Wales and it had the highest rate of all countries participating in the 2000 ICVS. Reporting rates can fluctuate for a number of reasons, including, changes in the level or mix of crime occurring or in the level of confidence in the police and the wider criminal justice system.
	Information from the NICS and ICVS on the levels of crime reported to the police is contained within the Northern Ireland Office Research and Statistical Bulletins 1/2001 International Crime Victimisation Survey 2000: Key Findings for Northern Ireland and 4/2005 Crime Victimisation in Northern Ireland: Findings from the 2003/04 Northern Ireland Crime Survey, copies of which are available from the House of Commons library. The bulletins can also be downloaded from the internet (http://www.nio.gov.uk/index/statistics-research/publications.htm).

Elections

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of distributing 2005 election communications via the Royal Mail in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: This is an operational matter and is the responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer who is writing to the hon. Lady. The text of the letter reads:
	The cost of providing the Royal Mail service to distribute election material on behalf of candidates at both the Parliamentary General Election and the 28 district council elections was 507,479.51.
	A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Elections

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total costs were of the 2005 (a) local council and (b) Westminster elections in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: Final figures are not yet available for the cost of each election. The estimated cost of the district council elections is 1.75 million and the estimated cost of the parliamentary general election in Northern Ireland is 2.5 million.

Fuel Poverty

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people (a) below the age of 18 and (b) over the age of 60 years have been living in fuel-poor households in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

David Hanson: Figures on fuel poverty, which are classified in terms of households rather than by age groups, are collected through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's House Condition Survey and not on an annual basis. The last survey, completed in 2001, indicated that (a) 54,920 households, where there were children, and (b) 102,039 households, where the head of household was over the age of 60, were living in fuel poverty.

Invest Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by Invest Northern Ireland on new road layouts in each of the sites that they own in (a) North Belfast, (b) South Belfast, (c) East Belfast and (d) West Belfast in each year since 2003.

Angela Smith: In 2003, Invest NI spent 190,000 on infrastructure including roads at the Springfield Road. In 2004 it spent 3.26 million on infrastructure works including roads at Spring Vale, Springfield Road and Forthriver Business Park. To date in 2005 it has spent 810,000 at Forthriver Business Park. All of these sites are in West Belfast. Invest NI did not incur any expenditure on road works in any other of its properties in Belfast.

Religious Hatred Prosecutions

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many successful prosecutions there have been in Northern Ireland under the prevention of incitement to religious hatred legislation since its introduction in 1987.

David Hanson: Data prior to 1993 are not available; data beyond 2003 will be available later in 2005.
	During the period 1993 to 2003, there were no prosecutions for incitement to religious hatred. There was one prosecution and subsequent conviction for distributing written material to incite hatred.

Sentencing

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent research has been conducted by his Department to compare the severity of sentencing in Northern Ireland courts with those in England and Wales for similar offences; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Given the different sentencing practices across jurisdictions and the number of variable factors in individual cases, formal comparisons of the severity of sentencing in Northern Ireland courts and those in England and Wales have not been undertaken. The recently completed consultation on the Sentencing Framework in Northern Ireland will however provide an opportunity to consider issues relating to the disposals available to the courts in Northern Ireland and the types of sentences handed down.

Tennis

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will initiate an independent review of whether tennis as a sport in Northern Ireland is best promoted and developed under its current affiliation to Tennis Ireland.

David Hanson: I have no plans to initiate an independent review of whether tennis as a sport in Northern Ireland is best promoted and developed under its current affiliation to Tennis Ireland as this is not a matter for me, but a matter for the Ulster Branch of Tennis Ireland and its members. I am aware, however, that following recent meetings with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, the Ulster Branch of Tennis Ireland has agreed to enter into exploratory discussions on possible options for any player that might prefer a different affiliation.

Voting (General Election)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of those eligible to vote in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland who were unable to vote at the general election on 5 May as a result of not having a correct form of identification.

David Hanson: According to figures provided by the Chief Electoral Officer, 3,818 electors were originally turned away from polling stations without valid photographic identification. Of those electors, 1,555 subsequently returned before the close of poll with an alternative, correct form of ID and were able to cast their vote. The remaining 2,263 electors were unable to vote because of a failure to produce valid identification.
	The totals recorded for those who were originally turned away, per constituency, were as follows:
	
		
			  Constituency Number originally turned away for invalid ID 
		
		
			 Belfast, East 162 
			 Belfast, North 193 
			 Belfast, South 187 
			 Belfast, West 164 
			 East Antrim 167 
			 East Londonderry 174 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 368 
			 Foyle 199 
			 Lagan Valley 163 
			 Mid-Ulster 239 
			 Newry and Armagh 352 
			 North Antrim 301 
			 North Down 124 
			 South Antrim 175 
			 South Down 187 
			 Strangford 166 
			 Upper Bann 263 
			 West Tyrone 234 
			 Total 3,818

Voting (General Election)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of disabled voters in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland who were unable to vote at the general election as a result of access restrictions at polling stations.

David Hanson: This is an operational matter and is the responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer who is writing to the hon. Member. The text of the letter reads:
	The Electoral Office has no indication that significant numbers of disabled electors were unable to vote on 5 May because of access restrictions at polling stations. While we do seek to ensure that every polling place is readily accessible by all electors and have, for some time, been working with the Equality Commission and owners of property to encourage compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act, adjustments take time. In the interim, we do keep the polling station scheme under constant review and encourage anyone with local knowledge who may be aware of more suitable premises to put forward their ideas. In addition, as you know a public consultation exercise on the scheme was carried out earlier this year and all comments received were taken into account before finalising arrangements for this year's elections.
	A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Housing

Anthony Steen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice he has received from the Regional Housing Board on the amount of affordable housing needed in Devon (a) at the latest date for which figures are available and (b) over the next 10 years.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 27 June 2005
	The provision of affordable housing is a local authority responsibility and should be made on the basis of robust local assessments of needs. Policy ST18 in the adopted Structure Plan for Devon 200116 highlights the strategic importance of the need to provide for affordable housing and establishes a consistent basis for the development of local plan policies throughout Devon.
	The South West Housing Body has however made the provision of additional affordable housing in Devon and across the region its number one priority, and its forthcoming advice to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on the allocation of capital funding for affordable housing for 200607 and 200708 will reflect this situation. Further work will be undertaken by the Regional Housing Body to improve the evidence base for affordable housing need and provision on a consistent basis through the promotion of sub-regional housing assessments.

Affordable Housing

Anthony Steen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how much social housing grant has been allocated in Devon in each of the last five years; and what proportion was in support of section 106 schemes in each year;
	(2)  how much the Housing Corporation has allocated for the provision of affordable housing for each district in Devon in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 27 June 2005
	Expenditure on affordable housing in Devon provided through the Housing Corporation broken down by local authority, in the last five years, is detailed in the following tables. The programmes included in the table are the Approved Development Programme (ADP), the Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) and Transitional LASHG, the Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund (SCSHF), and the Starter Home Initiative (SHI).
	The amount supporting section 106 is only available for 200405. The total proportion for Devon is 14 per cent.
	
		Breakdown by local authority in Devon for the last five years200001 --  million
		
			  ADP LASHG SCSHF SHI Total 
		
		
			 East Devon 0.486 0.431 0.000 0.000 0.917 
			 Exeter 2.279 1.017 0.000 0.000 3.296 
			 Mid Devon 0.735 0.546 0.000 0.000 1.280 
			 North Devon 1.052 1.130 0.000 0.000 2.181 
			 Plymouth 3.103 0.235 0.000 0.000 3.339 
			 South Hams 0.446 1.830 0.000 0.000 2.275 
			 Teignbridge 1.618 0.386 0.000 0.000 2.004 
			 Torbay 1.176 0.487 0.000 0.000 1.664 
			 Torridge 0.447 0.003 0.000 0.000 0.450 
			 West Devon 0.513 0.544 0.000 0.000 1.057 
			 Devon Total 11.854 6.609 0.000 0.000 18.462 
		
	
	
		200102 --  million
		
			  ADP LASHG SCSHF SHI Total 
		
		
			 East Devon 0.990 0.587 0.053 0.000 1.630 
			 Exeter 1.438 1.628 0.145 0.000 3.212 
			 Mid Devon 0.592 0.218 0.000 0.000 0.810 
			 North Devon 0.276 0.129 0.127 0.000 0.532 
			 Plymouth 3.754 0.587 0.000 0.000 4.341 
			 South Hams 0.402 1.251 0.000 0.000 1.653 
			 Teignbridge 1.429 0.318 0.000 0.000 1.747 
			 Torbay 1.640 0.308 0.032 0.000 1.980 
			 Torridge 0.424 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.424 
			 West Devon 0.402 0.648 0.000 0.000 1.050 
			 Devon Total 11.347 5.673 0.357 0.000 17.378 
		
	
	
		200203 --  million
		
			  ADP LASHG SCSHF SHI Total 
		
		
			 East Devon 1.075 1.801 0.026 0.000 2.902 
			 Exeter 1.891 1.376 0.873 0.032 4.171 
			 Mid Devon 1.018 0.185 0.000 0.000 1.203 
			 North Devon 1.326 3.115 0.057 0.000 4.498 
			 Plymouth 4.330 0.324 0.000 0.000 4.654 
			 South Hams 0.849 1.644 0.000 0.000 2.493 
			 Teignbridge 0.832 0.342 0.000 0.000 1.174 
			 Torbay 1.593 0.543 0.613 0.011 2.760 
			 Torridge 0.610 0.112 0.022 0.000 0.745 
			 West Devon 0.958 0.795 0.000 0.000 1.753 
			 Devon Total 14.481 10.237 1.591 0.042 26.351 
		
	
	
		200304 --  million
		
			  ADP LASHG SCSHF SHI Total 
		
		
			 East Devon 0.715 2.012 0.143 0.000 2.871 
			 Exeter 3.218 3.198 0.650 0.175 7.241 
			 Mid Devon 0.852 0.000 0.062 0.000 0.914 
			 North Devon 1.501 0.963 0.072 0.000 2.536 
			 Plymouth 8.807 0.000 0.033 0.000 8.840 
			 South Hams 1.466 3.252 0.344 0.000 5.062 
			 Teignbridge 2.280 0.000 0.000 0.000 2.280 
			 Torbay 3.950 0.000 0.565 0.062 4.576 
			 Torridge 0.970 0.000 0.039 0.000 1.009 
			 West Devon 1.673 1.473 0.000 0.000 3.146 
			 Devon Total 25.433 10.898 1.908 0.237 38.476 
		
	
	
		200405 --  million
		
			  ADP LASHG SCSHF SHI Total 
		
		
			 East Devon 0.518 0.256 0.008 0.000 0.781 
			 Exeter 3.147 0.287 0.173 0.021 3.627 
			 Mid Devon 1.778 0.000 0.054 0.000 1.832 
			 North Devon 1.834 0.618 0.136 0.000 2.588 
			 Plymouth 6.203 0.000 0.295 0.000 6.498 
			 South Hams 1.095 0.254 0.000 0.000 1.349 
			 Teignbridge 1.477 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.477 
			 Torbay 1.730 0.000 0.153 0.000 1.882 
			 Torridge 0.388 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.388 
			 West Devon 0.646 0.175 0.000 0.000 0.821 
			 Devon Total 18.815 1.590 0.818 0.021 21.244 
		
	
	Note:
	All data analysed by sponsoring local authority.
	Source:
	Housing Corporation.

Broadband (East Sussex)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made towards targets for broadband access in East Sussex.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today to his question number 7855.

Building Regulations

David Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he plans to introduce to ensure full compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations; and whether they will include random pressure testing of new homes.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 20 June 2005
	The Government are pursuing the commitments made in theEnergy White Paper to raise the energy performance standards in the Building Regulations and to work withbuilding control bodies to see how enforcement can be improved. After extensive consultations with stakeholders, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have developed proposals for improving technical standards, including sample pressure testing of new homes, and for simplifying the compliance processes. There will also be a programme of dissemination, training and supporting help desks to give every opportunity to become acquainted with the new provisions and so improve compliance.

Building Regulations

David Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what robust standard details he requires under Part L of the Building Regulations for thermal bridging in new homes; and what changes he plans to make to those standards.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 20 June 2005
	Builders are not required to use particular details but the guidance in Approved Document L offers the use of robust details as a way of showing compliance. These were developed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with expert assistance and published by The Stationery Office. A new edition is planned to accompany the next amendment to Part L later this year. The new edition will include additional robust details, and the aim is to revise all the details to include more information and to facilitate their electronic transfer into builders' drawings. The accompanying design and construction guidance will also be improved and checklists added to assist compliance.

Council Housing

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average time taken to re-let a local authority dwelling was in each English region in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The following table provides estimates for 200203 and 200304. Data in the form asked for are not available for other years.
	
		Average days to re-let a local authority dwelling
		
			 Region 200203 200304 
		
		
			 East Midlands 50 45 
			 East 39 35 
			 London 41 37 
			 North East 56 50 
			 North West 57 55 
			 South East 38 39 
			 South West 43 44 
			 West Midlands 53 44 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 59 49 
			
			 England 51 45 
		
	
	Note:
	Approximate estimates because data is not available for all local authorities.
	Sources:
	HRA Subsidy Base Data returns for 200405 and 200506; Business Plan Statistical Appendices 2004.

Disabled Facilities Grant

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received on progress with the review of the disabled facilities grant.

Yvette Cooper: Representations have been received from 32 hon. Members in the last month. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also received a number of representations from local authorities and organisations representing disabled people. In relation to progress with the review, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 June 2005, Official Report, columns 40203W.

Disabled Facilities Grant

Lady Hermon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will recommend the abolition of the means testing of parents of disabled children as part of the disabled facilities grant process, as is currently the case in Northern Ireland and is soon to be the case in Wales.

Yvette Cooper: The disabled facilities grant programme is subject to an interdepartmental review and a team from Bristol university are currently looking at the operation of the programme including the means test. The review is continuing and Ministers will put forward any proposals for change later in the year.

Fines (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was collected in (a) parking fines and (b) fines for fly-tipping in each London borough in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information is as follows:
	(a) The information requested in relation to parking fines for the periods from 199697 to 19992000 has been made available in the Library of the House. The figures for the periods from 200001 are a matter for the Mayor of London.
	(b) The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All fines in this period have been issued by the courts and collected by the courts.

Fire Service

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department plans to conduct an impact assessment of the recent changes in fire cover in the Greater London area; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No. Fire and Rescue Authorities are required by the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework to have in place and maintain an Integrated Risk Management Plan. It is, therefore, for the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority to determine appropriate fire cover in its area.

Fire Service

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the fire stations that have had a fire engine removed in each of the last 10 years; to which fire station a fire engine was re-located in each case; and whether a fire engine was replaced at each such station within (i) two years, (ii) three years, (iii) four years, (iv) five years and (v) more than six years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Fire Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of fires were caused by accumulations of litter in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information is collected centrally on fires involving all loose refuse and fires in refuse containers.
	The latest figures for the year ending 30 September 2004 show that 143,800 fires, which is 37.5 per cent. of fires attended by the fire and rescue service in England, were refuse fires.
	This is 7 per cent. fewer than in the previous year (which included 15 strike days). The majority of these fires (93 per cent.) are classified as secondary firesnot involving property or casualties.

Flood Risk Assessments

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) conditions and (b) costs will be placed on developers for access to strategic flood risk assessments prepared by (i) the Environment Agency and (ii) local planning authorities.

Yvette Cooper: Strategic flood risk assessment information will be made available to developers preparing site-specific flood risk assessments. The precise administrative arrangements for access to strategic flood risk assessments are for the authorities undertaking them to determine. The Environment Agency is keen to facilitate the provision of information on flood risk at reasonable cost.

Flood Risk Assessments

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list areas for which flood risk assessment data is assessed as being necessary; and which of these data are available to developers.

Yvette Cooper: Paragraph 62 of planning policy guidance note (PPG)25 sets out the criteria for determining whether a flood risk assessment should accompany an application for planning permission. Some of these relate to the circumstances of the site and some to the flood plain maps prepared by the Environment Agency and provided to local authorities, as specified in paragraph 24 of PPG25. The Environment Agency flood plain maps are available to developers.

Flood Risk Assessments

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had with (a) planning authorities and (b) the Environment Agency on the preparation of flood risk assessment data.

Yvette Cooper: Planning policy guidance note (PPG)25 advises those proposing developments in flood risk areas to carry out a flood risk assessment, which should be appropriate to the location, scale and nature of the development and should be submitted with the application. Local planning authorities and the Environment Agency were consulted in 2000 and 2001 on the draft of PPG25 and in autumn 2004 on the question of whether to review it. The Environment Agency was closely involved in drafting PPG25. Within the framework of guidance provided by PPG25, it is for local authorities to discuss with developers and the Environment Agency the data that would be appropriate in an individual flood risk assessment.

Flood Risk Assessments

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the additional cost to a developer of undertaking a flood risk assessment before building a house.

Yvette Cooper: Flood risk assessments should be proportionate to the location, scale and nature of the development and the apparent type and degree of risk. The cost will be site-specific, reflecting these factors.

Flood Risk Assessments

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Thames Gateway Flood Risk Assessment, covering Canvey Island, will be available.

Yvette Cooper: The Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership intends to complete its Strategic Flood Risk Assessment work by the end of the 200506 financial year.

HIP Energy Reports

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment has been made of the likely (a) switching in use of domestic fuel that will result from the proposed home information pack energy reports and (b) environmental effects of the consequential change in external costs.

Yvette Cooper: The Government do not anticipate that there will be any significant switches in use of domestic fuel resulting directly from the proposed HIP energy reports. The energy reports will primarily provide information to a potential buyer on the energy efficiency of the home in question. The reports will also include recommendations for the cost-effective improvement of the energy performance of the building which if carried out, would have environmental benefits.

Homelessness

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list guidance and advice sent by his Department to local authorities in the last year on homelessness.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have issued the following guidance and advice to local authorities:
	Housing Quality Network Report: Local Authorities' Homeless Strategies Evaluation and Good Practice Published: November 2004.
	Effective Co-operation in Tackling Homelessness: Nomination Agreements and Evictions Guidance Published : November 2004.
	Homelessness and Health Information Sheet Number 3: Dental services.
	Homelessness and Health Information Sheet Number 4: Hospital discharge.
	There was statutory guidance, issued under section 182 of the Housing Act 1996, on section 11 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 (which amends the local connection provisions of the homelessness legislation).
	In addition we have published the following documents which are available on our website:
	Policy Brief 8: Homeless Statistics Homeless Statistics March 2004 and Improving the Quality of Hostels and other Forms of Temporary Accommodation
	Policy Brief 9: Homelessness Strategies : Moving Forward
	Policy Brief 10: Homelessness Statistics September 2004 and Delivering on the Positive Outcomes
	Policy Brief 11: Providing More Settled Homes
	A Strategy for Tackling Homelessness: Sustainable Communities: Settled Homes; Changing Lives

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of the regulatory impact of their plans for licensing of houses in multiple occupation.

Yvette Cooper: The Government carried out a regulatory impact assessment on the effect of licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) during the formation of the policy. The report of the assessments were published and made available via the Libraries of the House and placed on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website in December 2003.
	The Government will also be publishing later this year further regulatory impact assessments to accompany each of the pieces of secondary legislation needed to implement the licensing of HMOs.

London Boroughs (Communication)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent per 1,000 population on external communication by each London borough in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The amount spent per 1,000 population on external communication by each London borough in each of the last five years is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Phone Masts

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the planning permissions for mobile phone mast sites that have been refused by the local planning authority but were granted on appeal by (a) the Planning Inspectorate and (b) the Secretary of State since the last revision of PPG 8.

Yvette Cooper: PPG 8 was last revised in August 2001.
	The Planning Inspectorate does not hold information about mobile phone masts specifically, and it could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

Actrapid Insulin

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the supply of actrapid (basal) insulin;
	(2)  if she will discuss with her EU counterparts Novo Novalisk's intention to discontinue the supply of actrapid insulin in the United Kingdom;
	(3)  what her most recent estimate is of the prescribing costs of (a) animal based insulins, (b) actrapid (basal) insulins, (c) humalog (analogue) insulins and (d) other insulins;
	(4)  what her estimate is of the number of diabetics prescribed (a) animal based insulins, (b) actrapid based insulins, (c) analogue insulins and (d) other insulins in the last period for which figures are available;
	(5)  what steps she has taken to identify alternative (a) manufacturers and (b) suppliers of the insulin products that Novo Nordisk are proposing to withdraw from the United Kingdom.

Jane Kennedy: Novo Nordisk has informed the Department that it is planning to discontinue Actrapid Penfill insulin in December 2005. The vial presentation of Actrapid insulin will remain available. We have not sought an alternative supplier for the items being discontinued as there remains a number of different insulins and delivery devices available from various manufacturers. It is up to the clinician, in consultation with the patient, to decide which is most suitable. We are in discussion with Novo Nordisk to ensure a smooth transfer for patients to alternative products. We have no plans to consult with other European governments on Novo Novalisk's intention to discontinue the supply of Actrapid insulin.
	We do not know the number of people prescribed either animal or human insulin, however, available information covers the number of prescription items and net ingredient cost of insulin dispensed in the community in England. The figures shown in the table were extracted from the prescription cost analysis system for 2004, supplied by the Prescription Pricing Authority.
	
		
			 Insulin Items (million) Net ingredient cost ( million) 
		
		
			 Animal derived 0.1 3.4 
			 Human analogue 4.1 193.4 
			 Total 4.2 196.8

Ambulance Service

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 20 June 2005, Official Report, column 794W, on the London Ambulance Service, what representations she has received concerning independent ambulances.

Jane Kennedy: The Department has received correspondence on this issue from patients' forums, independent ambulance organisations and national health service trusts. We have also received feedback at stakeholder consultation events and informally from NHS colleagues.

Ambulance Service

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 20 June 2005, Official Report, column 794W, on the London Ambulance Service, when the guidance on ambulance livery will be issued.

Liam Byrne: There are already clear rules on the use of the national health service logo and crown badge by third party organisations. The law is similarly clear that green and yellow retro-reflective markings should only be used by NHS ambulance services.
	We will communicate over the summer how these existing rules apply to independent ambulance services.

Ambulance Service

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the reasons for the change in the number of emergency calls to ambulance services in the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The number of emergency calls to ambulance services has increased by around 6 to 7 per cent. a year since 200001. During this time, the number of calls per incident has increased. This is largely attributed to greater use of mobile phones.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on restricting provision of medical care to failed asylum seekers; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Government are committed to providing protection for those individuals found to be genuinely in need. All applications for asylum are considered individually and on their own merits by the Home Office in line with the United Kingdom's obligations under the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). However, any individual of any nationality who is found by the Home Office and the independent Immigration Appellate Authority not to be in need of asylum or international protection is expected to leave the UK.
	Anyone is entitled to receive emergency or immediately necessary treatment to save life or to prevent a condition from becoming life-threatening, where in the clinical opinion of a health professional this is required. In the case of hospital treatment, however, they may be asked to pay for it if they are no longer eligible to receive it free of charge. A failed asylum seeker, who is receiving hospital treatment at the time their status was determined, will continue to receive that course of treatment free of charge until that course of treatment has been completed, or until they leave the country. Failed asylum seekers seeking routine elective hospital treatment will be expected to pay for it in the same way as any other chargeable overseas visitor.
	General practices currently have the same discretion to accept or refuse applications from failed asylum seekers to join their lists of national health service patients as they have for applications from other people.

Audiology Services

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress audiology clinics are making towards the Government's target that no one will wait longer than 18 weeks for treatment, including diagnostics, by 2008;
	(2)  how she plans to ensure that audiology departments meet the Government's target that no one will wait longer than 18-weeks for their treatment, including diagnostics, by 2008.

Liam Byrne: Progress towards meeting the 18-week target will be assessed by monitoring activity and waiting time data against the trajectories in strategic health authorities' (SHAs) local delivery plans. These data returns will for the first time, subject to successful piloting, include activity and waiting times for pure tone audiometry. SHAs are working with primary care trusts to develop their plans.

Care Homes

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) private, (b) voluntary and (c) local authority (i) care homes and (ii) care home places there have been in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The table shows the number of care homes and places in England by provider for people aged 18 and over as at 31 March 1997 to 2001.
	I understand from the Chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) that figures for later years were collected by the National Care Standards Commission, and now CSCI, but comparable details are not available.
	
		Number of care homes and places, as at 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2001, England -- Rounded numbers
		
			   Residential Nursing(9) 
			  Total Local authority Voluntary Private(10) Independent 
		
		
			 Homes  
			 1997 28,850 2,260 3,850 16,830 5,920 
			 1998 28,950 2,230 3,930 16,610 6,180 
			 1999 28,680 2,070 3,860 16,640 6,110 
			 2000 28,320 2,030 3,950 16,460 5,880 
			 2001 27,480 1,870 3,940 15,980 5,680 
			   
			 Places  
			 1997 534,410 65,820 59,170 213,140 196,270 
			 1998 553,490 63,980 60,790 223,130 205,590 
			 1999 546,190 59,030 58,720 226,290 202,150 
			 2000 539,240 55,460 60,720 229,720 193,330 
			 2001 528,000 50,860 61,970 228,340 186,830 
		
	
	(9)Nursing home figures include places in general nursing homes, mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics.
	(10)Includes private homes and small homes.
	Notes:
	1.Dual registered homes are included under nursing.
	2.Figures may not sum due to rounding.

Care Homes

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the nutritional quality of food in care homes.

Liam Byrne: A number of measures and strategies are in place to manage, monitor and screen the quality in care homes.
	The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) regulates care homes in accordance with statutory regulations and national minimum standards to ensure they provide for the needs of their residents. The Care Homes Regulations require homes to provide adequate quantities of suitable, wholesome and nutritious food for service users; and to maintain records of the food provided for service users in sufficient detail to enable inspectors to determine whether the diet is satisfactory, in relation to nutrition and otherwise.
	Standard 19 of the national standards for care homes for older people sets out what care homes are expected to do to ensure residents are properly fed.
	The CSCI will take swift action where it has concerns about the welfare of residents.

Childhood Development Reviews

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she has given to primary care trusts on the ages at which children should receive development reviews.

Liam Byrne: Standard one of the national service framework for children, young people and maternity services sets out the key elements of the child health promotion programme, including developmental reviews and other health promotion services, and the ages at which these interventions would normally take.

Commission for Social Care Inspection

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations her Department has received on the proposal to abolish the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Liam Byrne: Right hon. and hon. Members have tabled several questions on this topic recently. In addition, departmental Ministers have held exploratory discussions with both the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Community Hospitals

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 16 June 2005, Official Report, column 635W, on community hospitals, whether the decision on which services will be provided by each new community hospital will be made by (a) the Government and (b) primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: The Department is in the early stages of developing its policy on community hospitals. Preliminary thinking is that the decision on the provision of services in community hospitals will be a joint one, involving the Department, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts working in partnership and informed by the forthcoming public consultation on services outside of hospitals.

Computer Crime

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft her Department recorded in each year since 200102; and for each year on how many occasions computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii) outside her Department.

Jane Kennedy: There have been no reported incidents of computer hacking or fraud on the Department's information technology (IT) systems either within or outside the Department since 200102 year.
	The Department does not differentiate between losses and thefts nor do we record whether the theft was by an insider or outsider. The losses of IT equipment recorded since 200102 are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of incidents Total cost () 
		
		
			 200102 77 70,500.00 
			 200203 81 66,004.00 
			 200304 70 56,917.00 
			 200405 44 39,877.00

Dentistry

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase access to NHS dentistry in Stroud constituency.

Rosie Winterton: Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust (PCT), which commissions dental services for the Stroud constituency, has received 363,000 in capital grants and 155,000 in dental access money, which should lead to approximately 12,000 new national health service registrations.
	One new dental surgery has opened in Stonehouse. In addition, negotiations are under way with two dentists, one in Stonehouse and the other in Cam, regarding expansion of their practices using currently vacant dental chairs, with a view to filling them with dentists recruited through the Department's overseas recruitment programme. The PCT is also currently looking to set up a new two-dentist surgery in the Stroud area.

Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists are practising in Portsmouth; and how many patients are registered with each.

Rosie Winterton: As at the end of May 2005, there were 75 national health service dentists practising in Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust (PCT) area. Of these, the numbers of patients shown in the table were registered with each practice. Due to data protection rules, the individual dentists cannot be named, but are referred to as dentist 1, dentist 2, etc.
	
		Each dentist in Portsmouth City PCT and the number of patients registered with each as at 31 May 2005
		
			 Dentist number Number of children registered Number of adults registered Total number registered 
		
		
			 1 859 3,356 4,215 
			 2 657 3,102 3,759 
			 3 756 2,270 3,026 
			 4 743 2,256 2,999 
			 5 563 2,416 2,979 
			 6 676 2,238 2,914 
			 7 658 2,229 2,887 
			 8 896 1,887 2,783 
			 9 681 2,095 2,776 
			 10 641 2,019 2,660 
			 11 706 1,938 2,644 
			 12 526 1,827 2,353 
			 13 382 1,902 2,284 
			 14 527 1,628 2,155 
			 15 525 1,520 2,045 
			 16 447 1,572 2,019 
			 17 480 1,532 2,012 
			 18 387 1,574 1,961 
			 19 382 1,504 1,886 
			 20 515 1,343 1,858 
			 21 390 1,349 1,739 
			 22 353 1,309 1,662 
			 23 324 1,230 1,554 
			 24 332 1,220 1,552 
			 25 387 1,066 1,453 
			 26 369 1,044 1,413 
			 27 356 1,027 1,383 
			 28 331 1,052 1,383 
			 29 356 1,020 1,376 
			 30 379 934 1,313 
			 31 269 1,012 1,281 
			 32 315 917 1,232 
			 33 392 785 1,177 
			 34 789 384 1,173 
			 35 388 759 1,147 
			 36 293 849 1,142 
			 37 410 692 1,102 
			 38 288 775 1,063 
			 39 717 182 899 
			 40 661 143 804 
			 41 520 259 779 
			 42 761 12 773 
			 43 620 151 771 
			 44 174 595 769 
			 45 608 125 733 
			 46 235 383 618 
			 47 145 449 594 
			 48 325 241 566 
			 49 116 383 499 
			 50 181 318 499 
			 51 327 158 485 
			 52 352 124 476 
			 53 417 5 422 
			 54 280 108 388 
			 55 234 123 357 
			 56 116 239 355 
			 57 99 196 295 
			 58 205 77 282 
			 59 65 211 276 
			 60 198 18 216 
			 61 121 79 200 
			 62 119 2 121 
			 63 0 87 87 
			 64 0 54 54 
			 65 14 32 46 
			 66 0 0 0 
			 67 0 0 0 
			 68 0 0 0 
			 69 0 0 0 
			 70 0 0 0 
			 71 0 0 0 
			 72 0 0 0 
			 73 0 0 0 
			 74 0 0 0 
			 75 0 0 0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The data are snapshot information at the end of each month.
	2.The information includes any dentist who had at least one active registration.
	3.There are various reasons why a dentist may not have any registrations: in particular, specialists such as orthodontists.
	4.It should be understood that personal dental service PDS registrations generally have a longer re-registration period than general dental service (GDS) registrations. This means that a patient registered under PDS might not have been still registered under GDS, had the dentist remained in GDS.

Departmental Union Representation

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trade union learning representatives there are in her Department.

Jane Kennedy: There are currently no trade union learning representatives in the Department. However, the Department is very positive about this initiative and the trade union side plan to pursue this issue again in the near future.

General Practitioners

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat the ratio between the number of general practitioners to population was for each NHS region in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The number of general practitioners (GPs), excluding GP retainers and GP registrars, per 100,000 population in each Government office region as at December 2004 is shown in the table.
	
		General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(11) by strategic health authority per 100,000 population, as at 31 December 2004England -- Number (headcount)
		
			   All practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(11) Population(12)(5507950013) All practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(11) per 100,000 population 
		
		
			  England 31,798 49,855,700 64 
			  North East
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley 751 1,146,900 65 
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 927 1,392,400 67 
			  North West
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside 1,540 2,354,500 65 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire 1,177 1,919,000 61 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester 1,526 2,531,000 60 
			  
			  Yorkshire and the Humber
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 1,037 1,640,800 63 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire 827 1,272,600 65 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire 1,397 2,095,900 67 
			  
			  East Midlands
			 Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 894 1,581,500 57 
			 Q24 Trent 1,628 2,670,800 61 
			  West Midlands
			 Q27 Birmingham and The Black Country 1,401 2,273,400 62 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire 879 1,496,000 59 
			 Q28 West Midlands South 974 1,550,500 63 
			  
			  East of England
			 Q02 Bedford and Hertfordshire 1,001 1,614,700 62 
			 Q03 Essex 932 1,629,600 57 
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 1,475 2,218,600 66 
			  
			  London
			 Q05 North Central London 811 1,220,200 66 
			 Q06 North East London 921 1,530,800 60 
			 Q04 North West London 1,176 1,814,700 65 
			 Q07 South East London 1,007 1,511,800 67 
			 Q08 South West London 846 1,310,400 65 
			  
			  South East
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 1,135 1,797,100 63 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway 912 1,599,900 57 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex 1,644 2,570,800 64 
			 Q16 Thames Valley 1,329 2,112,500 63 
			  
			  South West
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 1,619 2,191,200 74 
			 Q22 Somerset and Dorset 886 1,206,900 73 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula 1,146 1,601,200 72 
		
	
	(11)General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs , QMS Others and PMS Others.
	(12)Population data as at 2003.
	(13)Population data is rounded to the nearest 100 for presentational purposes.
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

General Practitioners

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners in practice were aged (a) over 65 and (b) over 70 years in each NHS region in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The number of general practitioners (GPs), excluding GP retainers and GP registrars, aged between 65 and 69 and 70 and over in each Government office region as at December 2004 is shown in the table.
	
		All general medical practitioners, excluding GP retainers and GP registrars, in England, of which aged 6569 and 70 and over, as at 31 December 2004 -- Number (headcount)
		
			   All practitioners (excluding GP retainers and GP registrars) of which: 6569 70 and over 
		
		
			   31,798 641 139 
			  North East
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 927 12 2 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley 751 7 4 
			  
			  North West
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire 1,177 21 3 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester 1,526 37 9 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside 1,540 24 2 
			  
			  Yorkshire and the Humber
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 1,037 18 3 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire 1,397 34 6 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire 827 18 9 
			  
			  East Midlands
			 Q24 Trent 1,628 24 4 
			 Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 894 7 0 
			  West Midlands
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire 879 11 2 
			 Q27 Birmingham and the Black Country 1,401 69 10 
			 Q28 West Midlands South 974 8 8 
			  
			  East of England
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 1,475 11 1 
			 Q02 Bedford and Hertfordshire 1,001 20 3 
			 Q03 Essex 932 29 8 
			  
			  London
			 Q04 North West London 1,176 51 10 
			 Q05 North Central London 811 43 8 
			 Q06 North East London 921 56 21 
			 Q07 South East London 1,007 43 9 
			 Q08 South West London 846 25 10 
			  
			  South East
			 Q16 Thames Valley 1,329 15 2 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 1,135 4 0 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway 912 25 2 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex 1,644 17 1 
			  
			  South West
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 1,619 6 1 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula 1,146 5 0 
			 Q22 Somerset and Dorset 886 1 1 
		
	
	Note:
	General medical practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars, includes contracted GPs, GMS others and PMS others.
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) formal and (b) self-construct general practitioner trainee places have been offered (i) in total and (ii) in each deanery in England in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: Decisions about how many general practitioner trainee places are to be offered each year are made locally by postgraduate deaneries, in consultation with their strategic health authorities. This information is not held centrally.

General Practitioners

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been made available for self construct general practitioner registrar training in (a) the Eastern Deanery, (b) Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and (c) England in 200506; how much was made available in 200405; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 21 June 2005
	Funding for trainee general practitioners is part of the overall national health service training budgets allocated to strategic health authorities. The amounts that postgraduate deaneries actually receive is determined locally in the light of local priorities and national work force targets. This information is not held centrally.

HIV/AIDS

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what categories of people (a) are and (b) are not entitled to free testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS on the NHS;
	(2)  to what categories of people it is planned to give access to free testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS; and whether those not resident in the UK will be given such access.

Jane Kennedy: holding answers 13 and 15 June 2005
	Anyone who is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom is eligible to receive national health service hospital treatment free of charge (subject to any statutory charges that may apply, such as prescription charges).
	The national health service (charges to overseas visitors) regulations 1989, as amended, specify that anyone who is not ordinarily resident in the UK must be treated as an overseas visitor, and is liable to pay for any NHS hospital treatment received unless they meet one of the exemption criteria in the regulations. One such exemption covers the initial diagnostic testing for HIV/AIDS and any associated counselling, so that these are free to all irrespective of residency status. Subsequent treatment, however, should the test prove positive, is not free to all and an overseas visitor who is not otherwise exempt under one of the other criteria is expected to pay for any HIV/AIDS treatment they receive. This has been the case since these regulations first came into force.

Hospital Beds

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average daily number of general and acute beds open overnight bed was in each of the last three years for (i) England and (ii) each NHS trust; and what the bed occupancy rate was.

Liam Byrne: The data requested are available on the Department's website at: www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data_requests/beds_open_overnight. htm.

Hospital Beds

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average daily cost of (a) an intensive care and (b) a high dependency bed is.

Liam Byrne: The national average cost of an occupied bed day in a discrete critical care unit is available in the annual reference costs publication.
	The national schedule of reference costs for 2004 (the latest year available) shows that for activity undertaken within an national health service trust in England, the costs of an occupied bed day in different types of discrete critical care units are shown in the following table.
	
		
		
			 Unit type National average cost per occupied bed day 
		
		
			 Intensive therapy unit/intensive care unit 1,328 
			 Burns intensive care unit 1,039 
			 Neurosurgical intensive care unit 1,017 
			 Spinal injuries intensive care unit 779 
			 Renal intensive care unit 370 
			 Cardiac intensive care unit 1,025 
			 High dependency unit 584 
			 Paediatric intensive care unit 1,702 
			 Neonatal intensive care unitlevel 1 838 
			 Neonatal intensive care unitlevel 2 560 
		
	
	A copy of the reference costs publication is available in the Library.

Hospital-acquired Infections

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) advice is given on and (b) precautions are taken against the spread of MRSA in ambulances; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: All national health service organisations, including ambulance trusts, should have systems in place to minimise the risk to patients from health care associated infections as required by Standards for Better Health (July 2004). Infection control policies and any particular precautions for reducing the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a matter for individual trusts. Advice on appropriate precautions to reduce the spread of infection has been published by the Department in the Health Service Circular 200002 and in Winning WaysWorking together to reduce Hospital Acquired Infection in England (December 2003).
	The Ambulance Service Association published Infection Prevention and Control: Managing Healthcare Associated Infection and Control of Serious Communicable Diseases, in June 2004. The guidance was reviewed recently by the Health Protection Agency, the National Patient Safety Agency and the Department's inspector of microbiology and is deemed to be suitable and sufficient, if used with robust auditing, to control MRSA and other health care associated infections. Additionally, the training and common core syllabus for ambulance personnel covers infection control, including reference to MRSA.

Hospitals (North-East)

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cleaners in (a) Sunderland Royal Hospital, (b) Hartlepool University Hospital and (c) Durham University Hospital are employed by (i) the NHS and (ii) private contractors.

Liam Byrne: Information is not gathered centrally on the number of cleaners employed by private contractors. The table shows the available data for the trusts concerned.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services: Hotel, property and estates support workers in specified trusts as at 30 September 2004
		
			   Headcount 
		
		
			 City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust RLN 393 
			 County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust RXP 356 
			 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust RVW 303 
			 Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust RVX 44 
		
	
	Note:
	Hotel, property and estates support workers include maintenance and works staff working in areas such as laundry, catering, domestic services and gardens.
	Source:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census

Identity Cards

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the cost of equipping NHS premises with identity card readers.

Jane Kennedy: As part of the broader Home Office-led identification cards programme, the Department is considering the costs and benefits of using ID cards within the national health service, including the cost of card readers. No decisions on the deployment, and hence the costs, of such readers have been made.

Midwifery Vacancies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwife vacancies there are in each (a) London primary care trust and (b) London strategic health authority.

Jane Kennedy: There are no current midwife vacancies recorded by primary care trust (PCT), as PCTs generally do not employ midwifery staff.
	Information showing the latest figures available for midwifery vacancy rates and staff in post for London national health service trusts and strategic health authorities has been placed in the Library.

Ministerial Powers

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will list the reserve powers she holds to take control of (a) primary care trusts, (b) hospital trusts, (c) ambulance trusts, (d) strategic health authorities and (e) mental health trusts; which section of the relevant legislation gives her each such power; under what circumstances each can be activated by her; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  on how many occasions her reserve powers to take control of (a) primary care trusts, (b) hospital trusts, (c) ambulance trusts, (d) strategic health authorities and (e) mental health trusts have been used; if she will list the institutions involved; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 23 June 2005
	The legal powers that enable the Department to require individual trusts to change their senior management are contained within Section 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. This states that the Secretary of State may make an intervention order if she is not satisfied that a national health service body is performing one or more of its functions adequately or at all, or that there are significant failings in the way that the body is being run. The order would specify the extent to which changes to senior management would have to be made.
	The legal powers contained within Section 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 that enable the Secretary of State for Health to require individual organisations to make senior management changes have not had to be used yet.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much funding has been allocated to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in each year since its inception;
	(2)  what budget was allocated to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in each year since its inception.

Jane Kennedy: The funding allocated to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) by the Department and the Welsh Assembly Government is show in the table. The figures also include the allocation to NICE's funding for capital charges.
	
		
			  NICE running cost budget () 
		
		
			 19992000 10,511,000 
			 200001 11,158,000 
			 200102 12,613,000 
			 200203 14,771,000 
			 200304 17,494,000 
			 200405 19,391,000 
			 200506 29,298,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures for 19992000 to 20405 relate to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the predecessor of NICE.
	2.The figure for 200506 reflects the incorporation of functions of the former Health Development Agency and the transfer of funding for the three confidential inquiries to the National Patient Safety Agency.

National Service Framework for Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made against the milestones set in Standard 7 of the national service framework for older people.

Liam Byrne: The Healthcare Commission is currently looking at progress in implementing the national service framework (NSF) for older people. There will be a particular focus on mental health services for older people. The Healthcare Commission's report will be published later in the year.
	The Department's national clinical directors for older people's services and mental health services, Professor Louis Appleby and Professor Ian Philp, will shortly be launching a vision for the future of older people's mental health services, outlining the key components of a model service and building on the service developments the NSF for older people has initiated.

NHS Acute Hospital Trusts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS acute hospital trusts have financial deficits; and what the deficit is in each case.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 27 June 2005
	The latest year for which audited data on the financial position of national health service organisations are available is 200304. The financial position for all NHS trusts with deficits is shown in the table.
	
		000
		
			 NHS trust name 200304 deficit position 
		
		
			 Addenbrooke's NHS Trust (921) 
			 Airedale NHS Trust (1,448) 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust (4,398) 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey MH NHS Trust (924) 
			 Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust (851) 
			 Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hosps NHS Trust (929) 
			 Brighton and Sussex Univ Hosps NHS Trust (7,912) 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust (5,237) 
			 Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Trust (1,689) 
			 Burton Hospitals NHS Trust (179) 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust (1,880) 
			 East Kent Community NHS Trust (225) 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (3,934) 
			 East Sussex County NHS Trust (1,025) 
			 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (1,787) 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust (5,843) 
			 Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust (524) 
			 Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust (5,014) 
			 Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (1,727) 
			 Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust (18) 
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust (1,404) 
			 Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust (1,197) 
			 Kings Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals NHS Trust (5,358) 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (309) 
			 Local Health Partnerships NHS Trust (489) 
			 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (8,968) 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust (163) 
			 Mid Staffordshire Gen Hospitals NHS Trust (509) 
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust (18,637) 
			 Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust (3,172) 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (4,133) 
			 North Middlesex University Hosp NHS Trust (989) 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust (3,099) 
			 North West Surrey MH NHS Partnership NHS Trust (1,261) 
			 Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust (4,922) 
			 Nuffield Orthopaedic NHS Trust (309) 
			 Papworth Hospital NHS Trust (252) 
			 Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust (969) 
			 Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (7,753) 
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (495) 
			 Rob Jones and A Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (2,314) 
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (5,845) 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust (961) 
			 Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust (1,549) 
			 Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust (1,968) 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust (7,612) 
			 Sandwell and West Birmingham Hosps NHS Trust (1,593) 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (791) 
			 South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust (1,712) 
			 Southampton University Hosps NHS Trust (5,418) 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust (650) 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust (503) 
			 Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (4,149) 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust (229) 
			 The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust (963) 
			 The Royal West Sussex NHS Trust (3,572) 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust (744) 
			 Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust (1,057) 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust (519) 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust (1,369) 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust (2,501) 
			 Weston Area Health NHS Trust (1,514) 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust (3,400) 
			 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (12,801) 
			 Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust (27) 
		
	
	Source:
	200304 summarised accounts.

NHS Finances

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the deficit or surplus at year end for 200405 for (a) the NHS in England, (b) each strategic health authority, (c) each NHS trust and (d) each primary care trust.

Liam Byrne: The latest year for which audited data on the financial position of national health service organisations is available is 200304. Information showing the financial position for the NHS in Englandstrategic health authorities (SHAs), NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs)has been placed in the Library.
	Audited information in respect of the 200405 financial position of all SHAs, PCTs and NHS trusts will be published in their individual annual accounts and will be available centrally later this year.

NHS Patients (Overseas Treatment)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients were treated abroad in each of the last five years; and in what countries.

Rosie Winterton: Under patient choice, overseas treatment direct referral scheme approximately 890 patients had been referred for treatment since 2003. In addition, primary care trusts may also contract with healthcare providers abroad on an individual needs basis but this information is not collected by the Department.
	Data on United Kingdom patients treated in the European Economic Area under the E111/112 schemes are not available in the format requested.

Physiotherapy

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she is taking to ensure adequate retention to fill senior physiotherapy posts; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: It is the responsibility of local national health service employers and strategic health authorities to ensure there are sufficient numbers of physiotherapists to meet service needs. The Department is working closely with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the NHS work force review team and NHS organisations to ensure that local managers have access to a range of strategies across recruitment and retention, commissioning and skill mix.

Radiographers

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) radiographers of all grades and (b) radiographer trainees were employed in the NHS on average in (i) 1996, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2004; and what estimate she has made of the numbers who were working on contracts requiring less than the standard 37.5 hours in 2004.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	The standard hours for radiographers employed under Whitley Council terms and conditions are 35 hours. Agenda for Change replaces these arrangements and, under the new terms and conditions, the standard hours for all staff are 37.5. Implementation of Agenda for Change started in December 2004.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services: Radiography staff in England by area of work, level and each specified contract as at 30 September in specified years -- Headcount
		
			  1996 Of which: part-time 2000 Of which: part-time 2004 Of which: part-time 
		
		
			 Total Radiography staff 12,882 4,091 14,190 5,118 16,921 6,604 
			
			 Radiography (Diagnostic) 11,525 3,804 12,649 4,765 14,932 6,019 
			 Qualified staff 10,265 3,207 11,036 3,953 12,147 4,795 
			 Consultant Therapist/Scientist n/a n/a n/a n/a 4 1 
			 Manager 114 8 155 12 179 18 
			 Therapist 9,647 3,015 10,271 3,723 11,954 4,773 
			 Technician 487 182 595 216 0 0 
			 Tutor 17 2 15 2 10 3 
			
			 Non-qualified staff 1,260 597 1,613 812 2,785 1,224 
			 Assistant Practitioner n/a n/a n/a n/a 75 14 
			 Student/Trainee 47 18 19 2 80 8 
			 Helper/Assistant 1,213 579 1,594 810 2,630 1,202 
			
			 Radiography (Therapeutic) 1,357 287 1,541 353 1,989 585 
			 Qualified staff 1,308 262 1,453 323 1,753 510 
			 Consultant Therapist/Scientist n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 0 
			 Manager 13 1 19 0 30 3 
			 Therapist 1,295 261 1,434 323 1,722 507 
			
			 Non-qualified staff 49 25 88 30 236 75 
			 Assistant Practitioner n/a n/a n/a n/a 13 2 
			 Student/Trainee 0 0 1 0 4 2 
			 Helper/Assistant 49 25 87 30 219 71 
		
	
	n/a=Not applicable.
	Source:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Residential Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adults were placed in residential care out of area in each of the last five years; and what proportion of state funded adult placements this represented in each year.

Liam Byrne: The number and percentage of residential and nursing care residents funded by councils with social service responsibilities (CSSRs) placed outside their CSSR in England, 2000 to 2004, is shown in the table.
	
		Number and percentage of residential and nursing care residents funded by CSSRs placed outside their CSSR in England, 200004England, as at 31 March -- Rounded numbers
		
			  Total Residential care(14) Nursing care(15) 
			  Number Percentage(16) Number Percentage(17) Number Percentage(18) 
		
		
			 2000 43,800 17 29,700 16 14,100 19 
			 2001 44,000 17 29,800 16 14,100 20 
			 2002 46,700 18 31,800 17 14,900 20 
			 2003 47,700 17 31,800 15 15,900 20 
			 2004 49,100 18 33,700 17 15,500 20 
		
	
	(14)Includes local authority staffed, voluntary and private care homes and small or unstaffed homes.
	(15)General and mental nursing homes only.
	(16)As a percentage of all CSSR supported residents.
	(17)As a percentage of all CSSR supported residents in residential care.
	(18)As a percentage of all CSSR supported residents in nursing care.
	Note:
	Figures may not add up due to rounding.
	Source:
	SRI form.

Rural Services

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will amend the health service's funding formula to take account of costs incurred in delivering health services to sparsely populated rural areas.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 28 June 2005
	The funding formula provides the best available measure of health need in all areas. In calculating health need in rural areas, it takes account of the effects of access, transport and poverty.
	The advisory committee on resource allocation (ACRA), which is made up of national health service managers, academics and general practitioners, oversees the weighted capitation formula. ACRA has looked at the issue of rurality on many occasions and has recommended that no further adjustment is needed to reflect rural areas. ACRA will continue to oversee the development of the formula, and look to ensure equity in resource allocation.

Scanner (North Durham)

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress has been made by Alliance Medical in identifying a suitable site for a scanner in North Durham;
	(2)  who Alliance Medical has consulted during their search for an appropriate site for a scanner in North Durham.

Liam Byrne: holding answers 27 June 2005
	Alliance Medical Ltd. (AML) has been working alongside County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority's (SHA) assistant director of performance to establish an appropriate site for the mobile unit. I understand that both AML and the trust radiology department consider the site suitable and that they are awaiting confirmation from the SHA that the Consett site will be commissioned.

Sexual Health

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of the capacity of sexual health clinics; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department has commissioned the Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health to undertake a two-year national review of genito urinary medicine (GUM) services, which will help to assess capacity issues and disseminate good practice. This began in autumn 2004 and will cover all GUM clinics. Visits to services are already under way in nine strategic health authorities, and reports are being fed back to the primary care trusts as the review proceeds.
	The Health Protection Agency (HPA) collects and publishes data on waiting times for GUM services. The HPA have published two reports to date, for May and November 2004, and these are available from their website at www.hpa.org.uk

Sexual Health

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that the full amount of funding allocated to sexual health reform in the Public Health White Paper is spent on sexual health and HIV services.

Caroline Flint: Improved sexual health performance management has been introduced to ensure that the new investment of 300 million over three years, provided through the Public Health White Paper, achieves the desired outcomes. In addition to the public service agreement target to reduce the under-18 conception rate by 50 per cent., by 2010 as a part of a broader strategy to improve sexual health, primary care trusts must now include sexual health in their local delivery plans. These plans must include measures to achieve improved genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic waiting times, reduced gonorrhoea rates and improved uptake of Chlamydia screening. In addition, the Department has commissioned the Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health to undertake a national review of GUM services, which is now under way. A national audit of contraceptive services is also in preparation and we are working to strengthen the monitoring role of strategic health authorities. Data collection is being improved, to provide information against which performance can be measured, including the Health Protection Agency's published data on GUM waiting times.

Suicide

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to reduce the incidence of suicide in people aged (a) 50 years or over and (b) 65 years or over.

Rosie Winterton: The suicide prevention strategy annual report of progress 2004 sets out the actions that are under way to reduce the number of suicides in the general population. Although there are no specific actions under way targeting those 50 years or over, many of the measures in place will help prevent suicides among all age groups.
	The our healthier nation target is to reduce the overall death rate from suicide and undetermined injury from a baseline rate of 9.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 199597 to 7.4 deaths per 100,000 population in 200911. The latest available data for the three years 200103 show a rate of 8.6 deaths per 100,000 populationa reduction of 6 per cent. from the baseline. The latest data in the 50 and over age group show that this rate has fallen from the baseline rate of 10.6 deaths per 100,000 population to 10.1 deaths, a fall of 5 per cent. over the period. For the 65 and over age group the rate has fallen from the baseline rate of 10.1 deaths per 100,000 population to 8.91 deaths, a fall of 11.4 per cent. over the period.

Taxis

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Department has spent on taxis in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: The table shows the amounts the Department spent on its central contract for taxis.
	
		
			  Amount (000) 
		
		
			 200001 270 
			 200102 312 
			 200203 337 
			 200304 403 
			 200405 550 
		
	
	Other taxi fares may be claimed through staff expenses, but this information cannot be made available without disproportionate cost.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adoption

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people by Government office region were rejected as potential adopters because they were overweight in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Adult Literacy

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the level of adult literacy in each London borough.

Bill Rammell: The Skills for Life Survey: A national needs and impact survey of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills (DfES, October 2003) provides the latest estimates of literacy levels across England. The survey assessed the literacy, numeracy and ICT skills of around 8,000 adults aged 16 and above in England.
	The findings for the London boroughs are shown in the table. The proportion of adults with literacy skills below level 1 varies from 38 per cent. in Newham to 4 per cent. in the City of London. The assessment levels correspond to the new literacy and numeracy core curriculum and National Standards: Level 1 is broadly equivalent to a lower grade GCSE (grade D-G) and Level 2 to a higher grade GCSE (grade A*-C).
	A copy of the survey report is available in the House of Commons Library and on the DfES website: www.dfes.gov.uk
	
		Adult Literacy levels across London drawn from the Skills for Life Survey(19)
		
			  Total entry level Level 1 skills Level 2 skills 
			 Literacy Number Proportion (%) Number Proportion (%) Number Proportion (%) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 19,340 19 47,690 47 33,800 34 
			 Barnet 20,670 10 83,250 41 99,720 49 
			 Bexley 8,695 6 71,530 52 57,550 42 
			 Brent 34,400 19 62,360 35 82,950 46 
			 Bromley 20,500 11 60,000 32 105,500 57 
			 Camden 9,210 7 47,490 35 78,960 58 
			 City of London 215 4 1,560 30 3,495 66 
			 Croydon 27,500 13 96,410 45 90,290 42 
			 Ealing 26,980 13 86,730 42 91,420 45 
			 Enfield 26,500 15 75,510 43 74,310 42 
			 Greenwich 22,380 16 61,070 44 54,950 40 
			 Hackney 24,520 18 46,430 34 64,410 48 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 7,515 6 43,100 36 68,440 57 
			 Haringey 26,620 18 49,230 33 73,470 49 
			 Harrow 17,440 13 53,390 40 63,680 47 
			 Havering 12,730 9 61,330 44 65,670 47 
			 Hillingdon 22,870 15 55,600 36 76,080 49 
			 Hounslow 21,400 15 58,430 41 63,380 44 
			 Islington 9,395 8 48,720 40 64,290 53 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 5,620 5 34,920 31 71,580 64 
			 Kingston upon Thames 8,940 9 31,320 32 57,090 59 
			 Lambeth 22,200 12 70,250 37 95,940 51 
			 Lewisham 25,440 15 60,160 36 81,900 49 
			 Merton 11,870 9 51,700 41 63,190 50 
			 Newham 59,900 38 44,170 28 53,330 34 
			 Redbridge 23,750 16 63,720 42 65,550 43 
			 Richmond upon Thames 8,990 8 31,210 27 74,420 65 
			 Southwark 30,740 19 57,010 35 77,500 47 
			 Sutton 14,100 12 39,350 34 61,880 54 
			 Tower Hamlets 24,240 18 48,300 37 58,680 45 
			 Waltham Forest 22,690 16 66,510 46 55,920 39 
			 Wandsworth 10,860 6 58,730 31 118,000 63 
			 Westminster 12,290 10 41,060 32 75,440 59 
		
	
	(19)Source: DfES, 2003

Arson

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many arson attacks there were on schools in England in 2004.

Jacqui Smith: The most recent data published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is for the year ending 30 September 2004. In that year there were a total of 688 reported deliberate fires in schools in England.

Behaviour Improvement Programme

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the Government are spending in 200506 on behaviour and attendance-related activities and projects.

Jacqui Smith: Schools and local authorities use their core funding to varying degrees to support behaviour and attendance, but the amounts spent on these activities are not separately identified. In addition to these sums, the Government make available specific fundingthrough the Standards Fund or through direct grant support, earmarked for behaviour and attendance related activities. In the 200506 financial year, this funding is expected to amount to about 310 million through the Behaviour Improvement Programme, the Learning Mentor and Learning Support Unit strands of Excellence in Cities, and the Behaviour and Attendance strands of the Primary and Secondary National Strategies.

Class Sizes

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size in (a) primary and junior schools and (b) secondary schools in (i) West Sussex, (ii) Kent, (iii) Durham, (iv)the East Riding of Yorkshire and (v) each English county was in each of the last eight years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(20): average class size(21)Position as at January each year: 1998 to 2005 (provisional)by each English county local education authority and East Riding of Yorkshire local education authority
		
			  Classes taught by one teacher 
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 
			  Primary(22) Secondary Primary(22) Secondary Primary(22) Secondary Primary(22) Secondary 
		
		
			 West Sussex 27.0 21.6 27.2 21.4 27.3 21.8 26.9 22.2 
			 Kent(23) 28.2 20.4   
			 Kent(24)   28.1 20.8 27.7 21.0 27.4 21.3 
			 Durham 28.1 22.3 27.2 22.6 26.6 22.0 26.1 22.2 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 28.7 21.6 28.3 22.1 27.4 22.0 27.3 21.8 
			 Bedfordshire 27.0 22.4 26.7 22.3 26.1 22.6 25.2 22.5 
			 Buckinghamshire 28.1 21.0 27.8 21.6 26.6 22.2 26.4 21.6 
			 Cambridgeshire(23) 28.5 22.0   
			 Cambridgeshire(24)   28.7 22.8 28.0 23.3 27.5 23.5 
			 Cheshire(23) 27.2 21.4   
			 Cheshire(24)   27.4 21.3 26.8 21.0 26.3 21.0 
			 Cornwall 27.6 22.4 27.9 22.3 27.3 22.6 26.5 22.6 
			 Cumbria 26.2 21.1 25.8 21.0 25.2 21.3 25.0 21.1 
			 Derbyshire 29.5 22.2 28.2 22.4 28.3 22.5 27.3 22.2 
			 Devon(23) 28.0 21.7   
			 Devon(24)   26.7 22.0 26.5 22.4 26.5 22.5 
			 Dorset 27.5 22.5 27.0 22.0 26.4 22.6 26.1 22.8 
			 East Sussex 28.3 21.4 28.7 22.1 28.2 22.1 28.2 22.3 
			 Essex(23) 27.6 21.7   
			 Essex(24)   27.7 21.6 27.4 22.0 26.9 21.9 
			 Gloucestershire 27.5 21.7 27.5 21.2 27.3 21.4 26.3 21.4 
			 Hampshire 28.3 22.4 28.2 22.7 28.0 22.9 27.5 22.9 
			 Hertfordshire 27.2 20.2 27.1 20.6 27.1 20.8 26.9 21.0 
			 Lancashire(23) 28.9 22.5   
			 Lancashire(24)   28.2 22.4 27.7 22.7 27.3 22.6 
			 Leicestershire 26.9 22.3 26.7 22.4 26.7 22.8 26.3 23.2 
			 Lincolnshire 27.0 20.3 27.3 20.6 27.3 21.2 26.6 21.4 
			 Norfolk 26.4 20.2 25.9 20.4 25.9 21.0 25.4 21.2 
			 North Yorkshire 26.8 21.0 26.6 21.2 25.8 21.1 25.3 21.1 
			 Northamptonshire 27.3 21.4 27.3 21.5 26.8 21.6 25.9 21.5 
			 Northumberland 27.3 23.0 26.4 23.0 25.4 22.6 24.9 22.4 
			 Nottinghamshire(23) 28.8 21.7   
			 Nottinghamshire(24)   28.4 21.8 27.8 22.0 27.2 22.0 
			 Oxfordshire 27.5 22.0 27.1 22.1 26.8 22.6 25.9 22.4 
			 Shropshire(23) 27.3 22.0   
			 Shropshire(24)   26.9 21.6 26.0 21.6 25.3 22.2 
			 Somerset 27.8 23.9 27.9 23.9 27.6 23.6 26.9 23.9 
			 Staffordshire 27.4 22.3 26.7 22.3 26.6 22.4 25.9 21.9 
			 Suffolk 25.0 20.8 24.9 20.8 24.9 21.1 24.7 21.4 
			 Surrey 26.7 21.6 26.9 22.2 27.0 22.3 26.8 22.5 
			 Warwickshire 28.5 21.9 27.6 21.7 27.5 21.7 26.7 22.0 
			 Wiltshire 27.2 21.3 27.3 22.0 26.7 21.9 26.3 21.7 
			 Hereford and Worcester(23) 26.7 22.1   
			 Worcestershire(24)   27.0 22.3 26.8 22.2 26.2 22.0 
		
	
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 2005 (provisional) 
			  Primary(22) Secondary Primary(22) Secondary Primary(22) Secondary Primary(22) Secondary 
		
		
			 West Sussex 26.1 22.0 26.1 22.1 26.4 22.0 26.5 22.1 
			 Kent(23) 
			 Kent(24) 27.2 21.0 27.0 21.1 26.9 21.1 26.6 21.0 
			 Durham 25.3 21.9 25.1 21.6 25.1 21.8 25.0 21.7 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 26.6 22.2 26.4 22.2 26.3 21.6 26.0 21.9 
			 Bedfordshire 24.6 22.2 24.6 22.0 24.4 22.0 24.6 22.2 
			 Buckinghamshire 25.5 22.1 25.7 21.8 25.6 21.4 25.5 21.5 
			 Cambridgeshire(23) 
			 Cambridgeshire(24) 27.1 23.0 27.1 22.8 27.1 23.1 26.9 23.1 
			 Cheshire(23) 
			 Cheshire(24) 25.6 21.2 25.8 21.1 25.8 21.3 25.7 21.2 
			 Cornwall 26.3 22.4 26.0 22.4 26.2 22.3 26.1 22.4 
			 Cumbria 24.5 20.7 24.5 20.8 24.7 20.7 24.6 21.2 
			 Derbyshire 27.0 22.3 26.9 21.9 27.0 22.1 26.7 22.0 
			 Devon(23) 
			 Devon(24) 25.4 22.2 25.7 22.4 25.8 22.2 25.8 21.8 
			 Dorset 25.4 22.7 25.5 22.0 25.2 22.0 25.4 22.0 
			 East Sussex 27.6 21.9 27.5 21.8 27.5 21.9 27.6 21.8 
			 Essex(23) 
			 Essex(24) 26.5 21.9 26.6 21.8 26.7 21.9 26.6 22.0 
			 Gloucestershire 25.4 21.9 25.3 21.9 25.7 21.4 26.0 20.7 
			 Hampshire 27.1 22.9 27.2 22.8 27.2 22.7 27.2 22.8 
			 Hertfordshire 26.9 20.9 26.6 20.9 26.6 20.8 26.6 20.8 
			 Lancashire(23) 
			 Lancashire(24) 26.7 22.4 26.5 22.5 26.4 22.6 26.3 22.2 
			 Leicestershire 25.9 22.7 26.4 22.5 26.4 22.6 26.2 22.4 
			 Lincolnshire 26.0 21.3 26.1 21.4 26.2 21.5 26.3 21.3 
			 Norfolk 25.1 20.7 25.1 21.0 25.5 20.9 25.8 21.5 
			 North Yorkshire 24.6 20.6 24.5 20.6 24.4 20.8 24.5 20.5 
			 Northamptonshire 25.5 21.8 25.7 21.9 25.9 21.4 25.9 21.4 
			 Northumberland 24.5 22.6 24.7 22.4 25.0 22.1 24.5 22.0 
			 Nottinghamshire(23) 
			 Nottinghamshire(24) 26.8 21.5 26.9 21.5 26.7 21.5 26.7 21.2 
			 Oxfordshire 25.1 22.1 24.9 22.0 25.2 21.5 25.5 21.3 
			 Shropshire(23) 
			 Shropshire(24) 25.6 22.3 25.6 22.0 25.9 22.2 26.6 21.8 
			 Somerset 26.0 23.5 26.2 23.5 26,1 23.6 25.9 23.3 
			 Staffordshire 25.2 22.0 25.8 21.8 25.9 21.7 26.0 21.5 
			 Suffolk 24.6 21.3 24.5 21.4 24.5 21.8 24.6 21.8 
			 Surrey 26.4 22.0 26.3 22.1 26.3 22.3 26.7 22.5 
			 Warwickshire 26.4 22.0 26.3 21.9 26.1 21.7 26.0 21.5 
			 Wiltshire 26.1 21.9 25.8 22.2 25.9 21.8 25.8 21.6 
			 Hereford and Worcester(23) 
			 Worcestershire(24) 25.8 22.4 25.6 22.4 25.8 22.2 25.7 21.8 
		
	
	(20)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(21)Classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January.
	(22)Includes junior schools.
	(23)Before Local Government Reorganisation.
	(24)After Local Government Reorganisation.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Computer Crime

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft her Department recorded in each year since 200102; and for each year, on how many occasions computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii)outside her Department.

Bill Rammell: The number of cases of computer hacking detected in the Department for Education and Skills was nil in 200102, 200203 and 200304. There was one case of computer hacking in 200405 which was perpetrated by an outsider. The number of cases of fraud detected was three in 200102 and two in 200203. All were perpetrated by persons outside the Department. There was no fraud, internal or external, in 200304 or 200405. The number of cases of computer theft detected was nine in 200102, six in 200203 all perpetrated by insiders, 23 in 200304 of which 22 were perpetrated by insiders and one by persons outside the Department and 14 in 200405all were perpetrated by insiders.

Education (South Devon)

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people are expected to be on the Prince's Trust Teams programme run by Dartington Tech in this financial year; how many there were in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement on education funding in South Devon.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 22 June 2005
	The number of young people on Prince's Trust Teams in programmes run by Dartington Tech is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200203 195 
			 200304 175 
			 200405 215 
		
	
	Devon and Cornwall Learning and Skills Council have set out specific priorities for the coming year, in line with national and regional activities. These include ensuring access to education and training opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds; increasing the take-up of apprenticeships; tackling basic literacy and numeracy problems; and providing first-time Level 2 opportunities.
	In addition, the local LSC has a significant range of co-financed (European Social Fund) projects tackling skills shortages and addressing issues of social inclusion on top of activities funded from mainstream resources.
	Taken together, this provides a significant response to the learning and skills needs in the local LSC area.

Educational Psychologists

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what plans she has to increase the supply of educational psychologists;
	(2)  what progress she is making in her consultation on the role of educational psychologists;
	(3)  how many vacancies there were for educational psychologists in England in (a) April 2004 and (b) April 2005.

Maria Eagle: Decisions on the recruitment, retention or deployment of educational psychologists (EPs) are matters for local authorities as employers to determine in light of local circumstances and available resources.
	The terms of reference for the proposed review of the functions and contribution of EPs are currently being developed in consultation with representatives of the local authority employers. Subject to any points arising from these contacts, we would expect to invite tenders for the work shortly.
	Vacancy information for EPs is collected in January of each year. In 2004 there were 113 vacant full-time permanent posts and 2,100 full-time equivalent EPs in service. Provisional estimates indicate that there were 100 vacant full-time permanent posts in 2005 and 2,160 in service. Posts were regarded as vacant where there was no permanent appointee and where they were advertised prior to the survey date.

Family Resolutions Project

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what estimates her Department had made of the number of likely participants prior to the setting up of the Family Resolutions Project;
	(2)  what the estimated costs of running the Family Resolutions Project are;
	(3)  how many parents have taken part in the Family Resolutions Pilot Project to date; and how many have accepted mediation services as part of the project.

Maria Eagle: pursuant to the reply, 15 June 2005, Official Report, c. 483W
	Confirmed expenditure on the Family Resolutions Pilot Project is 190,628, up to 31 May 2005. This replaces the previous figure given of 173,669 for spend to 14 June 2005. Costs for June cannot yet be confirmed.

Foster Care

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost was of the mostexpensive external foster care placement in each Government Office region in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

Maria Eagle: Information about the cost of individual placements is not collected centrally.

Foster Care

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average cost per child of external foster care for local authorities was in each Government office region in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

Maria Eagle: The average gross weekly expenditure to local authorities, per looked after child, of foster care provided by others from 200102 to 200304 is set out in the table:
	
		000
		
			  Average gross weekly expenditure per looked after child in foster care provided by others Average gross weekly expenditure per looked after child in foster care provided by others (including respite and short term placements and placed for adoption) 
			 Year ending March 2002 March 2003 March 2004 
		
		
			 North East 1,031 696 808 
			 North West 774 579 652 
			 South East 905 973 933 
			 East Midlands 1,536 757 832 
			 East 748 693 686 
			 South West 695 848 744 
			 West Midlands 695 727 790 
			 Yorkshire and  the Humber 783 592 797 
			 London 626 817 791

Foster Care

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total expenditure on external foster care by local authorities was in each Government office region in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

Maria Eagle: The gross total cost to local authorities for children looked after in foster care placements provided by others from 200102 to 200304 is shown in the table:
	
		Gross total cost for children looked after in foster care provided by others -- 000
		
			  Year ending 31 March: 
			  2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 North East 5,806 9,216 10,815 
			 North West 13,713 18,901 25,802 
			 South East 17,424 25,874 32,380 
			 East Midlands 7,878 8,068 11,545 
			 East 13,678 21,759 27,585 
			 South West 10,056 12,872 17,431 
			 West Midlands 30,614 31,198 34,220 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 7,398 10,539 20,022 
			 London 71,292 94,749 104,734

Milton Keynes Academy

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the implications of the withdrawal from the Milton Keynes academy project of Global Education Management Systems for the academy's ability to deliver future academy projects.

Jacqui Smith: Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) supports the aims and the ethos of the Academies' Programme and has a proven track record in supporting and managing schools. My officials are continuing their discussions with GEMS and expect to identify suitable academy proposals which would benefit from GEMS' support and experience.

New Schools

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new (a) primary and (b) secondary schools were built in each English county in each of the last eight years.

Jacqui Smith: The construction of new schools is decided upon by each local authority in accordance with its asset management plan. Figures on how many new (a) primary and (b) secondary schools were built in each English county in each of the last eight years are not held centrally.

Postgraduate Science Degrees

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) UK, (b) EU and (c) non-EU students are studying science postgraduate degrees in England in 200405; and what proportion of all postgraduate students this represents in each case.

Bill Rammell: Figures for the 2003/04 academic year are given in the table below; data for 2004/05 are not yet available.
	
		Enrolments(25) on postgraduate science courses in English HEIs in 2003/04
		
			  United Kingdom European Union Other overseas 
		
		
			 Science postgraduates(26) 89,755 11,230 30,040 
			 All postgraduates 269,320 27,490 80,340 
			 Science as a percentage of total  postgraduates 33 41 37 
		
	
	(25)Figures stated are given on a full-person equivalent basis, which is the proportion of an enrolment's activity in that subject area.
	(26)Science includes medicine and dentistry, subjects allied to medicine, biological sciences, veterinary, agriculture and related sciences, physical sciences, mathematical and computing sciences, architecture and related studies and engineering and technology.
	Note:
	Figures are on a DfES whole-year basis and are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Press Officers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many press officers the Department and its predecessors employed in each year since 1997; and what the cost was in each year.

Bill Rammell: The information requested is set out in the table:
	
		
			  Staff numbers Spend (000) 
		
		
			 199697 19 702 
			 199798 20.5 729 
			 199899 29.5 969 
			 19992000 28 997 
			 200001 28 1,307 
			 200102 28 1,097 
			 200203 23.4 1,314 
			 2003 -04 18.5 1,352 
			 200405 18 1,200

Religious Education

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will introduce compulsory religious education in all schools which focuses equally on all the main religions in England.

Jacqui Smith: All maintained schools must provide religious education (RE) for all registered pupils. Locally agreed RE syllabuses must reflect the fact that religious traditions in the country are in the main Christian while taking account of the teaching and practices of other principal religions. The new national framework for RE will provide opportunities to develop pupils knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, other religious traditions and other world views, in line with Government's goals of inclusion, tolerance and diversity.

School Building

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made of the need for school building maintenance, updated for current price levels for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) other schools in each London borough, in the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: Data on school buildings maintenance have been supplied to the Department twice; firstly in 200001 and secondly in 2003. The following table shows, for the two data collections, primary, secondary and other schools figures for each London local education authority. Costs have been updated to current costs. In addition to backlog repair work, the figures cover work needed over a five year period from the dates of the assessments, including cyclical and scheduled maintenance.
	Central Government capital support for investment in schools has increased from under 700 million in 199697 to 5.5 billion this year and will rise further to 6.3 billion by 200708. Progress is being made year-by-year in improving the quality of the school building stock.
	
		Schools maintenance requirements -- 
		
			  Primary Secondary Other 
			  2001 2003 2001 2003 2001 2003 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 2,243,698 39,410,803 4,201,813 22,906,721 27,188 123,934 
			 Barnet 39,024,662 40,107,660 24,673,568 34,029,880 1,915,432 2,534,913 
			 Bexley 20,360,801 21,722,163 19,803,174 22,846,338 1,337,509 1,579,120 
			 Brent 29,010,597 25,072,826 20,033,334 17,006,117 2,196,700 1,865,460 
			 Bromley 19,414,064 24,100,807 20,216,776 26,389,627 920,896 1,585,557 
			 Camden 8,573,851 12,159,257 11,641,138 11,119,195 1,445,671 1,330,147 
			 Croydon 13,422,452 14,553,936 12,783,519 13,776,575 1,370,416 1,422,410 
			 Ealing 34,045,012 31,082,778 17,170,999 15,440,938 2,375,832 2,243,389 
			 Enfieid 37,183,816 28,203,143 31,075,780 22,440,115 3,565,292 2,372,245 
			 Greenwich 35,522,158 39,219,290 11,743,286 26,946,521 6,243,138 4,184,282 
			 Hackney 28,900,873 36,353,462 16,131,501 21,767,674 3,952,027 3,074,077 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 12,119,573 9,928,217 12,038,322 11,371,871 3,032,569 3,157,738 
			 Haringey  35,945,789  13,790,757  1,673,651 
			 Harrow 11,433,656 13,495,330 8,461,492 11,153,747 6,745,305 7,135,427 
			 Havering 38,425,867 33,035,051 29,858,490 28,783,241 1,410,024 1,522,827 
			 Hillingdon 20,214,363 21,587,648 14,246,302 16,975,522 1,624,914 1,809,548 
			 Hounslow 23,175,540 29,106,708 17,527,247 27,857,095 1,574,181 3,246,966 
			 Islington 34,505,108 23,651,347 18,588,643 12,497,917 3,827,587 2,475,645 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 7,801,892 6,454,041 1,968,212 2,212,459 1,625,229 1,460,770 
			 Kingston upon Thames 12,486,084 17,837,505 17,660,145 23,544,250 1,321,771 1,938,597 
			 Lambeth  54,827,241  44,242,445  8,344,663 
			 Lewisham 39,378,088 35,584,122 23,882,208 23,306,117 4,061,893 3,882,120 
			 Merton 10,474,790 12,148,736 7,864,319 8,892,701 9,226,542 1,967,176 
			 Newham 40,501,813 28,281,733 23,151,778 19,748,374 2,547,393 911,797 
			 Redbridge 25,335,410 22,578,687 22,502,056 21,320,757 1,937,394 1,120,458 
			 Richmond upon Thames 13,120,661 13,795,165  10,220,238 762,559 764,066 
			 Southwark 22,846,082 29,505,233 10,992,214 17,986,923 4,623,772 4,434,201 
			 Sutton 9,249,811 10,388,821 13,107,369 8,964,390 1,533,305 928,842 
			 Tower Hamlets 21,170,592 13,587,966 19,349,058 12,377,368 4,010,666 1,356,707 
			 Waltham Forest 20,079,861 14,788,170 15,492,380 10,053,638 3,025,488 1,900,798 
			 Wandsworth 40,590,068 40,590,068 29,674,514 29,674,514 6,990,906 6,990,906 
			 Westminster 16,589,720 14,082,979 21,714,889 13,172,533 1,082,643 1,957,073 
		
	
	''indicates no data supplied, or data appraised as unreliable.

School Funding

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the funding per pupil in (a) primary and junior schools and (b) secondary schools in (i) West Sussex, (ii) Kent, (iii) Durham, (iv)the East Riding of Yorkshire and (v) each English county was in each of the last eight years.

Jacqui Smith: The figures requested are expressed in real terms and set out in the following tables:
	
		Pupils aged three to 10 -- 
		
			  LEA 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 938 West Sussex 2,430 2,550 2,750 2,910 2,970 3,110 3,220 3,360 
			 886 Kent 2,480 2,620 2,840 3,000 3,050 3,180 3,330 3,450 
			 840 Durham 2,310 2,470 2,740 2,960 2,990 3,190 3,300 3,540 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 2,260 2,420 2,650 2,810 2,820 3,010 3,110 3,290 
			 815 North Yorkshire 2,310 2,480 2,710 2,850 2,890 3,120 3,220 3,390 
			 820 Bedfordshire 2,390 2,540 2,780 2,940 2,980 3,120 3,230 3,410 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 2,450 2,600 2,810 2,970 3,020 3,150 3,290 3,450 
			 830 Derbyshire 2,250 2,410 2,630 2,750 2,820 3,000 3,120 3,290 
			 835 Dorset 2,350 2,480 2,690 2,810 2,840 2,960 3,080 3,230 
			 845 East Sussex 2,500 2,660 2,900 3,050 3,090 3,220 3,360 3,510 
			 850 Hampshire 2,360 2,490 2,700 2,860 2,910 3,060 3,170 3,300 
			 855 Leicestershire 2,260 2,400 2,600 2,730 2,750 2,860 2,970 3,120 
			 860 Staffordshire 2,200 2,340 2,540 2,680 2,680 2,910 3,010 3,180 
			 865 Wiltshire 2,360 2,500 2,700 2,820 2,870 3,100 3,190 3,360 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 2,310 2,480 2,680 2,800 2,840 3,090 3,220 3,380 
			 875 Cheshire 2,250 2,400 2,610 2,750 2,790 2,970 3,070 3,260 
			 878 Devon 2,440 2,540 2,740 2,870 2,920 3,100 3,210 3,360 
			 881 Essex 2,480 2,610 2,830 2,990 3,040 3,200 3,320 3,460 
			 885 Worcestershire 2,300 2,400 2,610 2,740 2,770 2,900 3,010 3,180 
			 888 Lancashire 2,350 2,520 2,750 2,900 2,950 3,100 3,230 3,420 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 2,270 2,410 2,650 2,780 2,830 2,990 3,080 3,260 
			 893 Shropshire 2,350 2,500 2,710 2,870 2,900 3,110 3,230 3,410 
			 908 Cornwall 2,400 2,560 2,780 2,940 2,990 3,150 3,250 3,420 
			 909 Cumbria 2,280 2,450 2,700 2,870 2,910 3,170 3,280 3,460 
			 916 Gloucestershire 2,330 2,490 2,700 2,840 2,880 3,010 3,100 3,280 
			 919 Hertfordshire 2,450 2,570 2,790 2,930 2,970 3,140 3,260 3,380 
			 925 Lincolnshire 2,350 2,490 2,700 2,860 2,920 3,120 3,220 3,410 
			 926 Norfolk 2,390 2,550 2,770 2,930 2,980 3,160 3,290 3,460 
			 928 Northamptonshire 2,290 2,450 2,650 2,780 2,840 3,060 3,160 3,340 
			 929 Northumberland 2,280 2,430 2,650 2,810 2,850 3,090 3,220 3,420 
			 931 Oxfordshire 2,470 2,610 2,830 2,980 3,030 3,180 3,310 3,450 
			 933 Somerset 2,340 2,500 2,720 2,850 2,900 3,060 3,170 3,310 
			 935 Suffolk 2,340 2,470 2,670 2,790 2,820 2,980 3,110 3,260 
			 936 Surrey 2,460 2,580 2,780 2,930 2,980 3,130 3,230 3,420 
			 937 Warwickshire 2,270 2,430 2,620 2,760 2,820 3,030 3,140 3,300 
		
	
	
		Pupils aged 11 to 15 -- 
		
			  LEA 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 938 West Sussex 3,220 3,290 3,520 3,710 3,790 3,820 4,020 4,110 
			 886 Kent 3,300 3,380 3,660 3,850 3,940 3,980 4,230 4,300 
			 840 Durham 3,240 3,360 3,650 3,860 3,910 3,970 4,140 4,340 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 3,070 3,170 3,440 3,580 3,640 3,610 3,820 3,950 
			 815 North Yorkshire 3,120 3,220 3,480 3,620 3,690 3,680 3,860 3,980 
			 820 Bedfordshire 3,220 3,320 3,630 3,860 3,950 3,910 4,110 4,240 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 3,250 3,340 3,600 3,800 3,900 3,940 4,130 4,240 
			 830 Derbyshire 3,060 3,150 3,400 3,550 3,630 3,680 3,860 4,010 
			 835 Dorset 3,070 3,170 3,430 3,570 3,640 3,660 3,860 3,970 
			 845 East Sussex 3,320 3,410 3,700 3,880 4,000 4,010 4,240 4,340 
			 850 Hampshire 3,150 3,220 3,470 3,670 3,760 3,780 3,980 4,070 
			 855 Leicestershire 3,010 3,100 3,340 3,470 3,520 3,520 3,710 3,800 
			 860 Staffordshire 3,020 3,110 3,360 3,500 3,560 3,590 3,780 3,910 
			 865 Wiltshire 3,110 3,230 3,470 3,600 3,660 3,730 3,890 4,020 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 3,110 3,220 3,450 3,570 3,660 3,750 3,970 4,090 
			 875 Cheshire 3,040 3,130 3,370 3,500 3,560 3,640 3,840 3,990 
			 878 Devon 3,210 3,300 3,520 3,640 3,710 3,710 3,910 4,040 
			 881 Essex 3,300 3,390 3,650 3,840 3,920 3,970 4,190 4,270 
			 885 Worcestershire 3,040 3,140 3,400 3,570 3,630 3,650 3,840 3,970 
			 888 Lancashire 3,180 3,290 3,560 3,720 3,800 3,810 4,030 4,170 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 3,080 3,180 3,450 3,560 3,630 3,670 3,850 3,970 
			 893 Shropshire 3,110 3,200 3,450 3,610 3,710 3,810 3,990 4,090 
			 908 Cornwall 3,240 3,340 3,590 3,730 3,810 3,770 3,960 4,090 
			 909 Cumbria 3,160 3,270 3,550 3,730 3,810 3,830 4,020 4,170 
			 916 Gloucestershire 3,080 3,210 3,470 3,590 3,650 3,710 3,880 4,010 
			 919 Hertfordshire 3,330 3,420 3,680 3,860 3,940 3,910 4,120 4,170 
			 925 Lincolnshire 3,180 3,300 3,550 3,710 3,790 3,840 4,040 4,160 
			 926 Norfolk 3,190 3,300 3,560 3,730 3,820 3,820 4,040 4,150 
			 928 Northamptonshire 3,140 3,260 3,490 3,630 3,700 3,790 3,980 4,110 
			 929 Northumberland 3,170 3,270 3,590 3,820 3,890 3,870 4,070 4,250 
			 931 Oxfordshire 3,230 3,330 3,610 3,790 3,880 3,930 4,130 4,220 
			 933 Somerset 3,140 3,240 3,500 3,630 3,720 3,800 4,000 4,090 
			 935 Suffolk 3,110 3,200 3,460 3,640 3,730 3,700 3,910 4,010 
			 936 Surrey 3,300 3,380 3,610 3,800 3,880 3,900 4,080 4,230 
			 937 Warwickshire 3,060 3,180 3,400 3,530 3,620 3,730 3,930 4,040 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Price Base: Real terms at 200304 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 23 March 2005.
	2.Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of education SSA/EFS settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EFS.
	3.Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES Departmental Expenditure Limits relevant to pupils aged three to 10 and 11 to 15 and exclude Education Maintenance Allowances and grants not allocated at LEA level. For those LEAs in receipt of advance of grant under the transitional support arrangements for 200405, advance grant funding is included in the year of payment (200405). There will be a consequential reduction in DfES grant for these LEAs in future years (either 200607 and 200708 or 20067 to 20089, depending on the terms on which the advance was given to the LEA).
	4.The pupil numbers used to convert  million figures to  per pupil are those underlying the SSA/EFS settlement calculations plus PLASC three-year-old maintained pupils and estimated three to four-year-olds funded through state support in maintained and other educational institutions where these are not included in the SSA pupil numbers.
	5.Rounding: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	6.Status: 200506 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.

School Meals

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her Answer of 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 698W, on school meals, (a) when she expects to decide how best to capture information about schools meals provision and (b) what information about school meals provision is collected by (i) her Department and (ii) other Government departments.

Jacqui Smith: Our intention is to send schools a questionnaire covering the relevant information about school meals provision before they break for the summer holidays.
	The Department for Education and Skills collects information on eligibility and take-up of free school meals. Other Government departments do not collect information about school meals.

School Meals

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects the School Meals Review Panel to publish its draft school lunch standards for the school year starting in September.

Jacqui Smith: The Department for Education and Skills will publish the draft version of the school lunch standards for public consultation this September, the final version will be mandatory by September 2006.

Schools (Sutton)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are attending schools in the London borough of Sutton in the 200405 academic year, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) (i) primary, (ii) secondary and (iii) special school.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is given in the table:
	
		Maintained primary, secondary and all special schools(27): number (headcount) of pupils(28)as at January 2005 (provisional)Sutton local education authority area, by local authority area -- Headcount of pupils
		
			Special 
			  Primary Secondary Maintained Non-maintained Total Total 
		
		
			 Sutton local authority 14,790 14,740 270 80 350 29,880 
			 Epsom and Ewell local authority 260 1,220 n/a n/a n/a 1,480 
			
			 Sutton local education authority 15,050 15,960 270 80 350 31,360 
		
	
	n/a=not applicable.
	(27)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(28)Excludes dually registered pupils.
	Note:
	Pupil numbers nave been rounded to the neatest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Special Educational Needs

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average time taken to statement a pupil in Lancashire education authority was in the last period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Education and Skills does not hold data on the average time taken to issue a statement for pupils with special educational needs in local education authorities. Relevant data is however available from the Audit Commission. The LEA Best Value indicator BV 43b shows that 67.1 per cent. of draft statements of SEN in Lancashire were prepared within 18 weeks during 200304. If cases covered by the statutory exceptions to the time limitsas set out in the Education (Special Educational Needs) (England) (Consolidation) Regulations 2001, Section 12(7)are excluded, 89.7 per cent. were prepared within the 18 week period (Indicator BV 43a).

Special Educational Needs

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps will be taken to consult parents of children with special educational needs (SEN) in the national audit of SEN specialist services.

Maria Eagle: The national audit of low incidence special needs support, services and provision is currently under way. The questionnaires have been issued to all local authorities and responses are being received and followed up. Structured workshops have been established in each Region to discuss the questionnaire findings and add to the audit data collection. The workshop participants are from local authorities, health and social care as well as the non-maintained, private and voluntary sectors and include representatives from organisations such as the parent partnerships.

Special Educational Needs

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Rights Act 2001 in (a) hospitals and (b) primary care centres in respect of deaf people and people suffering from hearing impairment.

Maria Eagle: The remit of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 does not cover hospitals or primary care trusts. The Act amended the Education Act 1996 to strengthen the right to a mainstream education for pupils with special educational needs where parents want it and where it is compatible with the efficient education of other children. It also amended Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to require local education authorities, schools, colleges, universities and providers of adult education not to discriminate against disabled people in their access to education for reasons relating to their disability and to require local education authorities and schools to plan to increase progressively, and overtime, access to schools by disabled pupils and prospective pupils.

Student Debt

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the total amount was of debt repaid by (a) UK and (b) EU students who graduated from English universities in each year since 1994; and what proportion of debt remains outstanding for each year;
	(2)  what the average proportion of student loan debt repaid by United Kingdom borrowers entering repayment status was in each financial year since 1999.

Bill Rammell: Borrowers with income-contingent loans repay 9 per cent. of income over 15,000. They may voluntarily pay more. Borrowers enter repayment status in the April after they have graduated, or otherwise left their course.
	The table shows the amount repaid on UK publicly-owned student loans by financial year.
	
		 million
		
			 Financial year Amount repaid 
		
		
			 199495 27.4 
			 199596 50.5 
			 199697 86.1 
			 199798 133.6 
			 199899 134.5 
			 19992000 131.2 
			 200001 178.4 
			 200102 266.8 
			 200203 332.6 
			 200304 413.0 
		
	
	Source:
	Student Loans Company
	Figures include repayments on both income-contingent and mortgage-style loans. Note that the figures are repayments posted during the financial year from all borrowers, regardless of when they entered repayment status or are due to enter repayment status. It would be misleading to show these repayments as a proportion of the total amount outstanding at the end of the year, as a significant part of the outstanding amount is loans that are not yet in repayment status. EU students are not eligible for maintenance loans in the UK. Figures are not available separately for UK students in English universities.
	In general, repayments of income-contingent loans are collected through the tax system. Repayments are notified to the Student Loans Company (SLC) after the end of the tax year, after which SLC reconcile the repayments notified with their records. Therefore there will be some repayments that have been made but are not yet reflected in the figures.
	The following table shows repayments of income-contingent loans, and amounts outstanding and repaid as a percentage of the total, for cohorts of borrowers. The table shows the position reported in June 2005; figures will change as further repayments are recorded for each cohort.
	
		
			 Year borrower entered repayment status (cohort) Repayments ( million) Percentage of amount outstanding Percentage of amount repaid 
		
		
			 2000 24.3 86 14 
			 2001 39.8 90 10 
			 2002 121.6 92 8 
			 2003 115.3 95 5 
			 2004 83.5 97 3 
		
	
	Source:
	Student Loans Company
	The first cohort of income contingent borrowers entered repayment status in April 2000. The earnings of graduates are likely to rise in the years after leaving higher education, therefore the repayments of income-contingent loans will be lower in the early years. This is reflected in the table. Information in this format is not held centrally for mortgage-style borrowers.

Student Loans

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what legal powers are available to the Student Loans Company to obtain repayments of loans in respect of top-up fees from graduates from EU member states working outside the UK; what estimate she has made of the likely total value of such loans in each year; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Student Loans Company will have the power to recover loans which are not recoverable through income tax in the UK, as a debt through litigation in the courts, if there is a breach of the terms. We anticipate relying on European Council regulation 44/2001 in support of this.
	We estimate that the annual resource cost of fee loans issued to EU students who would work outside the UK on graduation could be around 25 million 1 (steady state at 2006/07 terms). This assumes that 91 per cent. of EU students are charged the full 3,000 fee, 9 per cent. charged 2,000, 80 per cent. of them take out a fee loan and around 75 per cent. of EU students work outside the UK after graduation. The latter assumption has been derived from data on the first destination of EU students on graduation. These data indicate that a large proportion of EU students do not go into work on graduation, the majority of these undertaking further study. In the absence of any data about the eventual employment of this group of students, we have assumed that they all enter employment outside the UK and hence, the 25 million figure could be an over-estimate.
	The estimate presented here is in resource terms. This is the resource cost to the Department of loansspecifically of providing an interest subsidy and of writing-off some loans. It is on a different basis to (Commons Written) PQ 3057, which concerned the cost to the Department of issuing loans for fees to all EU students, not just those who move outside the UK after graduation, and uses an updated discount rate to calculate resource costs 2 .
	1 Figure rounded to the nearest 5 million.
	2 Resource cost estimates updated using latest 2.2 per cent. discount rate.

Teacher Recruitment

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the targets for recruitment to (a) science, (b) mathematics and (c) modern foreign languages teacher training courses were in each year between 1994 and 2004; and what the performance against those targets was in each year.

Jacqui Smith: The number of places allocated and the number of people recruited to science, mathematics and modern foreign languages in England from 1994 to 2004 are given in tables 1, 2 and 3.
	
		Table 1: Science
		
			  Places Recruitment Difference 
		
		
			 1993/94 2,615 2,397 218 
			 1994/95 3,200 2,918 282 
			 1995/96 3,402 2,794 608 
			 1996/97 3,700 2,937 763 
			 1997/98 3,300 2,789 511 
			 1998/99 3,050 2,279 771 
			 1999/2000 2,390 2,362 28 
			 2000/01 2,690 2,413 277 
			 2001/02 2,810 2,594 216 
			 2002/03 2,850 2,701 149 
			 2003/04 3,225 2,871 354 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Mathematics
		
			  Places Recruitment Difference 
		
		
			 1993/94 1,755 1,790 -35 
			 1994/95 2,230 1,950 280 
			 1995/96 2,267 1,795 472 
			 1996/97 2,550 1,653 897 
			 1997/98 2,250 1,464 786 
			 1998/99 2,150 1,120 1,030 
			 1999/2000 1,680 1,302 378 
			 2000/01 1,850 1,290 560 
			 2001/02 1,940 1,553 387 
			 2002/03 1,940 1,674 266 
			 2003/04 2,315 1,942 373 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Modern foreign languages
		
			  Places Recruitment Difference 
		
		
			 1993/94 1,665 1,550 115 
			 1994/95 2,060 1,789 271 
			 1995/96 2,092 1,790 302 
			 1996/97 2,250 1,720 530 
			 1997/98 2,650 1,799 851 
			 1998/99 2,300 1,657 643 
			 1999/2000 2,200 1,469 731 
			 2000/01 2,050 1,635 415 
			 2001/02 2,050 1,705 345 
			 2002/03 2,050 1,732 318 
			 2003/04 2,050 1,819 231 
		
	
	The number of places allocated and the number of people recruited do not take into account the Fast Track scheme or employment-based routes into teaching.

University Students (Counselling)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes to provision of counselling services for university students has been made to meet the changes in demand arising from broadening access.

Bill Rammell: Provision of Counselling Services is a matter for individual higher education institutions. Counselling Services in UK universities have responded positively to the changes in student populations resulting from the HE Widening Participation agenda. The Government have supported a number of initiatives to improve all core support services to students, such as the Developing Modern Higher Education Careers Services, report in 2001. A key focus of Developing Modern Higher Education Careers Services was the need to ensure greater and more targeted access to those students and graduates who might be disadvantaged and/or in need of support. The follow-up report Modernising HE Careers Educationa framework for good practice showed that universities had reviewed their provision of support services, and recognised the need to improve their standards of service.